Swat 'truce' in tatters

Times:

Pakistan resumed military action against the Taleban in the Swat Valley yesterday after insurgents attacked an army convoy there — effectively ending a peace accord that had been widely criticised by the country’s Western allies.

Army sources told The Times that troops were fighting the militants in several parts of the valley after the convoy was ambushed near the town of Bari Kot, starting a battle in which one soldier was killed. It was the first serious clash between government forces and the militants in Swat since they signed a controversial peace accord in February which allowed the Taleban to impose its strict interpretation of Sharia in the region — once a popular tourist site.

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A military spokesman said the attack on the convoy was repulsed, and warned of retaliation. Muslim Khan, a Taleban spokesman, claimed responsibility for the ambush, saying it was in response to the alleged strengthening of military positions in the region, in violation of the peace deal.

“We cannot remain silent on the military build-up,” he told reporters. He said his group was not bound by the peace deal.

Tensions had increased in the past few days after the hardline cleric who brokered the Swat accord rejected the judges appointed by the Government to run the Sharia courts in Swat, saying they did not meet Islamic standards. Sufi Mohammed, 78, shocked Pakistanis when he declared the democratic system un-Islamic, saying there was no need for a constitution in the country. “All those who believe in democracy are infidels,” he declared in an interview with a private Pakistani television channel.

The Government ordered a night curfew on Mingora, the main town in Swat, after insurgents blew up a power station. On Sunday, the Taleban abducted two soldiers and slit their throats. Residents said militants were patrolling the streets and had blown up many schools in the past two days.

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The Pakistani troops need to have better force protection security in hostile territory like this. It is clear that the Taliban will not abide by the Geneva Conventions on troops they detain. It is also pretty clear to me that the Taliban word is no good on this supposed deal anyway.