| Publication |
2009.
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| Summary/Abstract |
That the Taliban presence in the NWFP has spread to newer areas is evident from the fact that they have moved from South Waziristan in March 2004, when the first military action was launched against them, to each one of the seven tribal agencies and to several settled districts of the province.
In fact, the Taliban's strength grew in the aftermath of every operation by the Pakistan Army in the tribal or settled areas. Rather than defeating the militants and regaining lost territory, almost all the military operations were followed by controversial peace deals that gave legitimacy to the Taliban and recognised their status and power. With every passing year, the Taliban managed to extend their control to more territory at the expense of the government. The weaker government writ meant that the common people had little or no option but to turn to the armed Taliban for protection and solution of their problems. The Taliban leadership responded by setting up their courts to dispense justice and established a parallel administration.
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