Pakistan on June 23 announced a new military operation “Azm-e-Istekam”, meaning “Resolve for Stability”, to strengthen its ongoing counter-terrorism operations amid a surge in violence perpetrated by TTP-led militants in neighbouring Afghanistan.
The effort is aimed at curbing a surge in attacks since the TTP unilaterally ended a ceasefire in November 2022. Founded in 2007, the TTP advocates the reversal of the merger of northwestern tribal areas with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and the implementation of stricter Islamic law.
Timeline of past military operations
Pakistan has conducted several military operations in the past that have resulted in the deaths, maiming, displacement and destruction of millions of Pashtuns in KP. According to statistics from the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP), which is affiliated with the Institute for Conflict Management, New Delhi, and other anti-war organisations, around 80,000 people have been killed in the war on terror, mainly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The report further notes that around 26,862 terrorists and 5,498 security force personnel lost their lives.
Notable military operations included:
- Operation Al Mizan was a series of strategic military operations conducted by the Pakistani military between 2002 and 2006.
- The First Battle of Swat, also known as Operation Rae-e-Haq, occurred in late 2007 and was a conflict between Pakistan and the Taliban movement for control of the Swat region.
- The Battle of Bajaur, also known as Operation Sherdil, was another military operation conducted in the Bajaur region. The operation began on August 7, 2008.
- Operation Zarzala was a Pakistani military offensive launched on 18 January 2008 as a counter-insurgency operation.
- The Second Battle of Swat, also known as Operation Ra-e-Last, began in May 2009, with Pakistani forces and militants from the Pakistani Taliban Movement fighting for control of the Swat region.
- Operation Ra-e-Nijat was an offensive military operation conducted by the Pakistani military against the TTP and other militants in the South Waziristan region of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas. The operation was launched on 19 June 2009 and involved the launch of a large-scale ground and air offensive.
- Operation Kor-Esfaid was launched in Kurram district in 2011. The operation took place between 4 July and 18 August 2011, with the main objectives of dismantling the Taliban cells in Kurram district and securing Thar Parachinar.
- Operation Zarb-e-Azb was a security operation aimed at combating the TTP, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, the Islamic Movement of East Turkestan, and targeting Al-Qaeda and the Haqqani Network. It was launched in North Waziristan on June 15, 2014, and within a month, it had forced approximately one million Pashtuns to flee the region, destroying homes, markets, forests, roads, clinics and schools.
Factors leading to new military operations
Pakistan has seen a significant increase in terror attacks over the past 18 months, with over 700 attacks reported in 2023 alone by the TTP, killing around 1,000 people, both civilians and law enforcement personnel. Most attacks have taken place in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, followed by the TTP and BLA in Balochistan. According to partial data compiled by the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP), at least 97 people were killed, including 17 civilians, 59 SF personnel and 21 militants, in 34 BLA-related incidents recorded in 2024.
Blame shifting and distrust. Mutual mistrust between Pakistan and the Taliban-led government continues despite multiple visits to Kabul by senior officials, including the defense minister and the ISI chief. Islamabad blames the recent increase in attacks on Afghanistan on TTP leaders who have taken refuge in the country and are running training camps for militants who carry out attacks inside Pakistan. The Afghan government says the increase in violence in Pakistan is an internal matter for Pakistan and that no country, including Pakistan, will tolerate militants operating on its territory.
The Chinese factor. The newly launched operation also addresses the concerns of China, a key ally and investor in Pakistan’s infrastructure through the $62 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Following multiple attacks, including the death of five Chinese engineers in March 2024, the security of Chinese nationals and the project has become crucial. In the wake of growing threats to the CPEC from the TTP and Baloch militant groups, Pakistan has found it necessary to launch the new Operation Azm-e-Isteekam.
The Indian factor. Pakistan’s view in this regard is clear. India is adding fuel to the fire by supporting and funding the TTP. This support comes in many forms, weakening Pakistan’s security from within. Secondly, with the Taliban taking control of Afghanistan, India is using its potential influence over the new government to create a safe haven for the TTP in Afghanistan, further facilitating cross-border attacks. Thirdly, India is exploiting ethnic and sectarian rifts within Pakistan. India is allegedly creating fertile ground for TTP militants and BLA insurgents to destabilise Pakistan.
Difficulties in launching new military operations
First, there is a lack of public support for this new operation, which could hinder its effectiveness, especially in the violence-hit provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and subsequently Balochistan.
Opposition parties including PTI, JUI-F, ANP, Mehmood Khan Achakzai’s PKMAP, Manzoor Pashtun’s PTM, JI and Khushar group’s PKNAP have rejected the military operation. Leaders of all these parties have urged the government to gain the confidence of the KP people and parliament before launching any such fresh military operation.
Secondly, the most important and major criticism from political parties, civil society and the general public of the KPK revolves around the lack of transparency and accountability regarding the outcome of previous military operations. In particular, Operation Rahaq and Operation Zarb-i-Azb have left lasting negative impacts in the minds of local residents in the form of large-scale displacement, loss of businesses and livelihoods. People in the merged districts of KP have suffered immensely as the government has failed to fulfil its promises for mainstreaming and resettlement of displaced people in these areas.
Thus, with anger towards state institutions at a fever pitch, the general public in these districts and other parts of KP are not ready to accept the launch of a new military operation and the return of the TTP to the province. They primarily see these government efforts as an attempt to exploit the province’s mines and mineral wealth. They feel alienated from all walks of life in the country and are skeptical of the TTP’s revival in the province, despite the proud and heavily guarded border with Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, contrary to public sentiment, security agencies are warning of responding with indiscriminate military operations to crush “terrorism” without explaining to the public why they have failed to deliver on past promises and why countless past operations have failed to cut off the seemingly endless supply of “terrorists” and their re-emergence within a short space of time.
This has resulted in growing trouble and distrust between the government and the people, and an increase in terrorist attacks, especially after two attacks on a garrison and a local medical center in Banu and Dera Ismail Khan districts of KP province, which left 15 Pakistanis, including 10 soldiers, dead and were allegedly carried out by the TTP. For example, the initial reaction of Banu residents to the attacks was that they would not evacuate the area even if there was a military operation. Locals said they would rather stand up and fight terrorists than abandon their homes for another anti-terrorist drive.
Third, this operation differs from previous military operations in several ways. First, it was announced at a time when the U.S. had withdrawn from Afghanistan and there was no international funding available for counterterrorism operations. Pakistan is dependent on a bailout package and it is questionable whether it can fund a new military operation.
Fourth, the operation has been announced at a time when Pakistan’s polity is polarized and the gap between state and society is alarmingly wide. Moreover, the country’s institutions lack coherence and its economy is struggling. In this context, it will be difficult to implement Azm-e-Istekam wisely. This situation will hinder the government’s efforts to build a national consensus against the new military operation.
Finally, Pakistan has launched several counter-terrorism and anti-extremism initiatives in the past that appeared very comprehensive on paper but were poorly implemented, undermining their effectiveness.
What do I need to do?
The fight against terrorism and extremism in Pakistan requires a multi-pronged approach. The current strategy of launching a series of military operations requires a paradigm shift from reactive to proactive. The success of any counter-terrorism operation depends on the support and cooperation of the local population and their representatives. It is essential not to repeat the mistakes of the past and to foster a collaborative approach involving all stakeholders.
Tackling terrorism and extremism is not just a military effort but a societal effort. Unfortunately, due to misguided policies of the past, our social fabric has been undermined by extremist ideologies, not only for religious reasons but also for political and linguistic reasons. Dealing with terrorists and preventing the spread of extremist ideologies requires effective legislation and judicial procedures to prosecute terrorists and dismantle terrorist organizations.
Despite the importance of the military operation, it is important that the government debate the issue in parliament in order to adopt a comprehensive and transparent approach to combating terrorism and extremism. The new military operation is not planned to expel people from targeted areas, nor is it planned to launch a full range of kinetic energy attacks.
Pakistanis want to eradicate terrorism and extremism from their society and this is possible if we work together with the relevant stakeholders. We need to take the right steps at the right time and in the right direction, otherwise it will all become counterproductive and will result in a loss of human and financial resources.
The civilian and military ruling elites need to critically and analytically assess the tense situation following the killing of well-known Pashto poet Giraman in Islamabad and the subsequent violent clashes between security forces and unarmed protesters in Banu district of KPK. Leaders must reflect on past failures, read history with an open mind, take steps to make clear, practical decisions, and equip themselves with analytical skills to mobilize the public to restore peace before launching any new military operations.
In conclusion, what Pakistan needs in such a critical situation is the Singapore model of peaceful coexistence, tolerance, debate, inclusion and acceptance within the country that can bring about unity in diversity and bring about peace and security for the society as a whole.
Second, the Colombian model. Colombia was plagued by similar problems as Pakistan today: political instability, institutional inefficiency. In addition, socio-economic inequalities, unprotected and unregulated borders, historical conflicts, and external interference weakened the country. In 2000, Colombia, with the support of the United States, came up with a four-pillar plan called the “Colombian Plan.” The first was the fight against terrorism and drugs, the second was strengthening government institutions and the judicial system, the third was revitalizing the economy and society, and the last was the process of peace and reintegration. A Truth, Justice, and Reparations Commission was established to investigate human rights violations and pay reparations to victims. Pakistani leaders should learn from these good practices to address the crisis and multiple challenges, including the threat of extremism and terrorism that the country is once again facing.
