Operation Rah-e-Rast was a military operation conducted from May 16 to July 15, 2009 in Swat, Pakistan to defeat militant groups like Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e-Sharia-e-Mohammadi (TNSM) led by Maulana Fazlullah. Over 3 million civilians were displaced during the operation which included battles in Mingora that led to 286 militant casualties. Key militant commanders were captured or killed, though Fazlullah escaped. The operation restored government control and improved security, but challenges remained around rehabilitation, guerilla threats, and training local police.

2. Operation Rah-e-Rast
Swat, Khayber Pukhtunkhwa, Pakistan
16 May 2009 – 15 July 2009
Presented By
Ehsanullah Zafar
Arsal Syed
Khawaja M. Abdul Rahman

3. Contents
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Introduction to Swat
Operation Background
Operation Execution
Operation Outcome
Challenges after opt.
Current Situation

4. Introduction to Swat
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History
Geography
Nomenclature
People

5. Introduction to Swat
• History
• History began 2000 years ago. Old name “Udyana” and later
“Suvastu”
• Settlers and Budhists lived peacefully for years
• Peace ended in the 11th century AD
• Arrival of Mahmud of Gazni then Dilazak and later Yusufzais
• In 19th century Akhund Sahib came to control
• Valley began to be ruled under peaceful Muslim laws
• Peace ended with death of Akhund Sahib
• 1850 Syed Akber Shah
• 1914 Syed Abdul Jabar shah
• 1917 Mian Gul Abdul Wadood

6. Introduction to Swat
• Geography
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Swat
Shangla (East)
Lower Dir (West)
Upper Dir (West)
Gilgit Baltistan
(North)
• Buner (South)

7. Introduction to Swat
• Geographical Features
• The area of Swat is 4000 sq. miles
• The population of
Swat is about 12,50,000
• Its height is not similar
but varies from 2500ft. to
7500 ft. above sea level.
• Sky High Mountains,
Valleys and natural
sceneries.

8. Introduction to Swat
• Nomenclature
• Word ‘Swat’ is the distorted shape of Aswad (black)
• Mountains are covered with thick forests, which
appear in sight as black therefore, it was called
Aswad
• Two tribes the Swati and Dalazak settled here
• As Swati was a larger tribe, therefore this area is
called as Swat.
• The present name ‘Swat’ was composed

9. Introduction to Swat
• People
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Pakhtuns
Innocent
Illiterate
Unemployed
Livestock

10. Operation Background
• First Battle of Swat (October 25,2007 – December 8,2007)
It is known as operation Rah-e-Haq carried out in Swat and
Shangla, KPK. This was against Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e-Sharit-eMuhammadi (TNSM) of Mualana Fazalullah and Sufi Muhammad
Strength of Pakistan was 3-5 thousand personnel. Militants were
about 1,000.
• Peace Treaty (February 16,2009)
This treaty was between KPK Govt. and TNSM. Ceasefire was
observed, impose of sharia law and court in Malakand and Swat.

11. Operation Background
• International Reaction
It was criticized by U.S. and western countries. Amnesty
International and Human Rights Organization had there own
reservations.
• Militant Advancement
They advanced in 97km (60 miles) radius of Islamabad till
Shangla. Our Silk Route was in danger. International Concerns
and pressure on Government.

12. Operation Background
• Violation of Treaty
Great violence began to take place in Swat. Security Situation got very
poor. Life of people became reserved. Large scale militant activities in
the area. Changes in sharia law made things more complicated.
• Operation Black Thunderstorm (April 26, 2009 – June 14,2009)
The operation took place in Swat, Buner, Lower Dir and Shangla. It was
against TTP and TNSM. Maulana Fazalullah and Sufi Muhammad were
the key suspects. The mission was led by Lt. Gen. Masood Aslam and
Air Marshal Hifazat Khan. SSG, 50th Airborne Division, 9th Infantry
Division, 25th Squadron Night. 30,000 to 45,000 soldiers and 5,000
militants were engaged. 3.4 million civilians were displaced. There
were three phases of this operation, Attack on Lower Dir (April 26,
2009), Buner Assault ( April 30, 2009) and Operation Rah-e-Rast.

13. Operation Execution
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Introduction to Opt. Rah-e-Rast
Migration of citizens
Battle of Mingora
Expansion of Operation
Capture of militant commanders
End of Operation

14. Introduction to opt. Rah-e-Rast
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Second Battle of Swat(16 May - 15 July)
Span of execution(2 Months)
Belligerents
Commanders
Units involved
Strength
Causalities

15. Migration of Citizens
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2009 refugee crisis in Pakistan
No. of citizens migrated
Strain on country’s economy
Refugee camps
Mardan,Nowshera,Swabbi
Shifting of refugee
Abbotabad,Mansehra
Facilities in camps
UNICEF
Chinese and UN’s help
Luo Zhao Hui => yousaf raza
$1million
Masood Khan => $5.4 million
UN => received 1/3 of $150 million
UN’s estimate
1.6 million of 2.2 million refugees

16. Battle of Mingora
• Start of battle(23rd May)
• Large scale migration
2 lac=> 10-20 thsnds
• Street fights
key intersections,
three squares
green square
(bloody square)
• Spirit of Army(24th May)
• Achievements(27-30 May)
• Casualties
286 militants killed

17. Expansion of Operation
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Malam Jabba
Qambr Bazar
On May 29
Amankot
TIC on Mingora Road
Peochar village
Town of Bahrain(North of swat)

18. Capture of Militant Commanders
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Rumors about Sufi Mohammad(June 4, Ammandara)
Hit in two air strikes(Imam Dehri)
Two aides=> Maulana Alam & Ameer Izat khan
Aides were killed(June 7)
September 11,2009
Muslim kahn and 4 other TNSM commanders were
captured near Mangora.
• Hayatullah Hamyo(TTP Commander) captured in orangi
town karachi(January 11,2010),wherehe was keeping low
profile by working in PTCL…..
• End of Operation(15th July 2009)

19. Operation Outcome
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Government’s writ restored
Area cleared from militants
Many militant commanders captured or killed
Extremism eradicated
Failure to capture or kill Maulana Fazalullah
Security Improved
Image of Pakistan Improved
Morale of Armed Forces became high

20. Challenges after Operation
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Guerilla Wars
Rehabilitation of refugees
Security
Police training
Hidden militants

21. Current Situation
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Life of people
Role of Army
Security situation
Development works
Tourism Activities

22. Contact: khabdul007@gmail.com