Question: Before The Actual Operation In Swat

[SparklingCrescent]

Before our Government and Army announced an operation in Swat and surrounding areas, we had soldiers there. I actually wouldn't consider them a part of the Army because they wore "Kamis and Partog" (What Pashtuns wear in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) They never wore the professional looking uniform, until later on when actual operation started and heavily armed soldiers came in. Also, they did get involved in a few skirmishes, but it never looked as if they were fighting though.

So my question is, who were these Jawans? Are they considered to be in the Army? What is there purpose? Tell me a bit about them please.