Pakistan’s military operation in Swat Valley has been a success and Taliban have been reduced to few hundreds. But peace and normal life is still elusive in this picturesque valley. There is strong presence of military on the streets. And this is not enough, now even civilians are joining local village militias to protect themselves.

In fact civilians are organizing themselves and using base and weapons of Taliban who have been flushed out of mosques and hideouts and they are hunting heads of the infiltrators. Some critics argue that this is more an act of vengeance, which is not surprising since civilians have suffered the most under the oppressive Taliban regime. Not only they lost their freedom, their lands and houses were also taken over Taliban. Many people were ruthlessly killed for defying their laws. So civilians have a reason to seek blood and property of ruthless Taliban who ruined peace in the valley.

One is not sure how long there would be peace at the gun point. But it does seem to work, since hospital, schools are functioning after a long break and even barbers who had to close their shops because shaving beard was banned by Taliban are back at their job. Such was barbaric rule of the Taliban that civilians are happy to protect of their rights and ensure safety in their valley with the newly acquired guns and ammunition. Empowering community to protect themselves is a good but scary idea though.

Via Guardian