In November, the army launched one of its biggest operations since Pakistan threw its support behind the U.S.-led war against terrorism six years ago. On Monday, the military ferried journalists by helicopter to three mountaintop positions to show the territory its more than 10,000-strong force has retaken.
"About 90 percent of the area has been cleared of the (militants), and only about 10 percent, pockets of resistance, are remaining," said army spokesman Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas. "They have taken to the heights. Hopefully those areas will be taken back soon."
The police clearly needed army help and the tribal thugs retreated in the face of superior power. I don't know whether hiding up in the mountains is a long-term option for the tribal jihadis or whether the army will need to pursue them. Clearly the jihadis were not crushed by the operation.
Still, having the army based in the settled lowlands will reduce the impact on civilians of having the thugs running around and will enable the police to do their work.
With conflicting signals coming out of Pakistan over whether the Pakistanis truly want to fight and defeat the jihadis, this decision to remain in the Swat Valley seems like a good sign.
