Pashto names of Bara operations create drama, and doubts, too

PESHAWAR: The dramatic Pashto names of operations in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency have drawn a lot of discussion and debate in civil society circles and intelligentsia.

The first operation against the militants and outlawed groups was launched in the Bara on June 28, 2008 with the codename ‘Sirat-e-Mustaqeem’ (The Righteous Path). It was started by Frontier Corps (FC) and the interior ministry officials claimed that objectives of the operation were achieved.

The second military offensive in Bara was started in December 2008 with the codename ‘Daraghlam’ (Here I Come!). This operation could not achieve much and was stopped before taking it to its logical conclusion.

The defiant Mangal Bagh, a militant leader of banned outfit Lashkar-e-Islam (LI) and his group continued their activities after end to the operation.

Another military offensive began on September 1, 2009 with a theatrical Pashto codename ‘Bya Daraghlam’ (Here I Come Again!). It was as if the troops had to come again to finish the unfinished task in Bara. Critics dismissed both comings of the FC under the codenames ‘Daraghlam’ and ‘Bya Daraghlam’ as half-hearted and incomplete.

Surprisingly enough, the fourth and recently launched operation on November 24, 2009 has a very interesting codename ‘Khwakh Ba De Shum’ which is a Pashto expression meaning ‘I Will teach you a lesson’ or ‘I will fix you!’

The sequence of names more looks like Pashto movie names and definitely trigger a smile on people’s faces when mentioned. While operation Rah-e-Rast in Swat and operation Rah-e-Nijat in South Waziristan are very explicit in their meaning with clear intention despite being in Urdu, the names in Bara operations appear non-serious and in a way a mockery of such a serious cause and plan.

The names show that those who name these operations are unaware of the Pakhtun culture or non-serious about their nomenclature. Or they fully understand it but are fond of giving theatrical names to the military action. Most people think that our military is strong enough to control this handful of militants in Bara but the operation has not been totally successful so far, which has raised serious questions.

Talking to The News, Dr Said Alam Mehsud, leader of Paktunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), said the codenames of the military operations seemed like Pashto movies’ names showing the non-seriousness of the planners. “All the operations are a mere drama and the security forces never targeted militants and whenever they hit their homes and hideouts in Khyber Agency that was also with an understanding and there were reports that they were also compensated for the losses,” he said.

He said that a total 19 military operations were carried out but none of them was credible and no tangible achievement made during these adventures.Muhammad Tahir, an educationist, said the codename of military offensive in Bara signifies that the operation was a low priority area for the rulers and the power that be. He further said Bara was an area taht could be very well controlled by a willing army despite Tirah valley depth, but so far no close aide to Mangal Bagh was killed or arrested while the militant leader himself was still at large.

When contacted, Major Fazal, public relations officer of Frontier Corps (FC), said the codenames in itself had a very clear message for the militants. He added that the recent codename of the operation “Khwakh ba de Sham” had a meaning of “ I will fix you” which was a very vivid message to the outlaws.

About progress in the operation, the FC spokesman said the security forces were fast achieving targets by clearing the militancy-hit areas, destroying their hideouts and strongholds. The militants have been dislocated, he claimed. The officer was of the opinion that military operations were not person-specific merely. “We are more concerned about restoring supply routes, protecting civilian population and dismantling the command and control of the militants.