Swat is a beautiful mountain valley in northwest Pakistan. But for the past several years pro-Taliban militants have been active in violent activities in a bid to impose harsh Islamic order just like the one Taliban militia who ruled Afghanistan from 1996-2001.Â
Taliban regime was ousted in Afghanistan by a US-led invasion in late 2001Â and hundreds of fighters fled into Pakistani tribal areas. The militants after regrouping in Pakistan are allegedly attacking coalition forces in Afghanistan as well as propagating and enforcing medieval customs in tribal areas in the name of Islam.
In October Pakistani military launched a major offensive in Swat against the followers of Maulana Fazalullah, also known as Mullah radio, for his firey speeched through a string of illegal FM radio stations he had set up to preach hate.
Pakistan military claimed to clear the area of militants in early 2008 and last month, the new government signed a peace deal with the militants under which they agreed to live peacefully, but violence, bomb blasts and suicide attacks have again increased.
Militants have set on fire and bombed dozens of government-run girls school, as they oppose women's going out of home for studies or work.
The crisis has created enormous economic hardship for the residents, as most depended on incomes from tourists which have stopped visiting the area due to unrest.
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Photos courtesy ISPR
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