Evaluating Impacts of Military Operations and Peace Deals in Former FATA and Swat Valley (2001–2013)

Abstract

The 9/11 tragedy in the US changed the world's political and diplomatic agenda with a particular emphasis on South Asia. America blamed Al-Qaeda for these attacks and invaded Afghanistan. Pakistan gave logistical support to the US campaign against Al-Qaeda. American war on terrorism (WoT) in Afghanistan expanded to Pakistan's tribal areas especially in former FATA. Pakistan started military operations in the tribal region. However, during these operations, Pakistani security forces adopted soft-handed policies and halted several operations to conclude peace deals. During these deals, terrorist groups gained time and repeatedly reorganized, leading to the formation of the TTP umbrella organization in 2007 to carry out large-scale terrorist activities in Pakistan. As a result, in 2009, the military conducted large-scale operations known as Rah-e-Rast in Swat and Rah-e-Nijat in South Waziristan Agency. However, amid these operations, militants diverted their attention to the North Waziristan Agency and Afghanistan. The study attempts to analyze the impacts of military operations and peace deals in the former FATA and Swat valley from 2011 to 2013. It also highlights reasons which increased terrorism in the country. Even Pakistan was placed on 3rd position in the GTI ranking in 2013.