New strategy formulated to tackle Swat militancy: Malik
ISLAMABAD: Adviser to the Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik Thursday informed the Senate that a new strategy had been evolved to tackle the law and order situation in Swat and expressed the confidence that the law enforcers would succeed in flushing the terrorists out of Swat in few weeks.
Winding up discussion on situation in Swat in the House, he refused to divulge details of the strategy but said he was ready to give an in-camera briefing to the members.
He pointed out that the situation in Mingora was under total control by virtue of the new policy.
It was for the first time that Rehman Malik revealed names of various organisations responsible for the law and order situation in Swat.
He said these included al Qaeda, Tehrik-e-Taliban led by Maulana Fazlullah, Tanzeem-e-Islami, Tora Bora Group and Qari Mushtaq Group.
He said Qari Hussain Ahmed runs a training camp for suicide bombers in Waziristan and Maulana Naamdaar had a role in import of suicide bombers from Waziristan to Swat.
Qari Hussain, a Taliban commander was reported dead in January 2008 after his house was destroyed in an air strike, but the evidence pointed otherwise.
He said the militancy in Swat was not for Shariat, but was aimed at destroying Pakistan.
We are after you. We will not let you do what you want to do, he said while giving a message to the terrorists operating in Swat.
He, however, indicated that the doors of dialogue were still open by saying that the government will continue to pursue the Policy of three Ds including dialogue, development and deterrence.
He said the Army and para-military forces in Swat had been re-energized, curfew had been imposed in some areas and joint pickets had been established.
He said protection will be provided to schools in Swat when they re-open after winter vacations.
Rehman Malik said the number of civilians killed in Swat was around 1200 while another 2000 received injuries in various incidents of violence. He said 189 military personnel also lost their lives.
He informed that 123 government and another 10 private schools had been destroyed in Swat, besides setting ablaze many CD and barber shops. He said the so-called Taliban court had summoned 40 people