After Afghan War 1979, due to change of policy Pakistan was left alone to deal with around 4 million afghan  refugees, gun culture, narcotics proliferation, rise of Jihadis and religious militancy. FATA was being used as sanctuary by various  warring Afghan warlords who were fighting for the piece of pie. Rise of Taliban and Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan further aggravated the problem. Non state actors emerged as a political force and terrorism surfaced as a major challenge. The event of 9/11 proved to be a turning point in galvanizing the world to combat this menace through unified and concerted efforts. Pakistan has been suffering from the effects of terrorism for over two decades, even before it became a global issue but the world has realized the magnitude of this problem only over the past few years. UN adopted anti terrorist resolution, which include the use of force, denial of safe heavens and the financing of terrorists. US formed a coalition of nations to fight the global war on terror and Pakistan joined the coalition for war against terrorism for its national interest.

Pakistani security forces entered into FATA in the year 2003 to prevent spillover of operations from Afghanistan into Pakistan and stop miscreants, deny use of territory for terrorist activities, open up hitherto no go areas  and integrate FATA national mainstream. Taking advantage of the proximity of border, rugged terrain, semi autonomous nature of FATA, old Afghan war ties and common religious beliefs on both side some foreign elements and Taliban have found sanctuaries in FATA.

Four pronged strategy was evolved, deploy forces to open up the area and carry out military operation where necessary, initiate political process to take people on board and bring the area into national mainstream, initiate administrative measures and carry out development works.  Since entering into FATA security forces have carried out 161 major and minor operations against terrorists and achieved unprecedented success. Over 3000 terrorists have been killed and almost 4000 apprehended. Over 1400 officers and men of Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps have embraced shahadat in this war on terror which itself speaks the commitment of Pakistan and its security/intelligence agencies in global war against terrorism. Military Operations have created an environment conducive for the political process. Problem of Taliban lies in Afghanistan. Taliban do have some support. Our efforts are focused on effectively checking and eliminating this support. Over 4 million Afghan refugees living in Pakistan have complicated this problem because these camps provided sanctuaries to Taliban. Presently over 1200000 security forces ( Army and FC) are guarding the 1100 check posts on the western border. Army was requisitioned by Provincial government on 23 October 2007 in Swat and  operation in Swat was launched on 24 November 2007. Security Forces cleared the area and writ of the government was restored by end December 2008. Operation was stopped due to Feb 2008 elections  and on the directives of Provincial government. During this  period militants  regrouped and strengthened themselves. Situation in swat worsened due to lawlessness. Militants were involved in kidnapping of security forces, looting in the area and other criminal activities. In July Provincial government against requisitioned the Army for operation in the area. Security forces faced stiff resistance and carried out operation in Swat. Over 700 militants were killed and 200 security forces personnel embraced shahadat during six months of intense fighting in the valley. Operation was stopped in February on the directions of Provincial government.

The Operation of Bajur is a great success story by security forces. Operation commenced in Bajur in August 2008 following highhandedness by militants in the agency. Over 1600 militants were killed in the operation including some important commanders and foreigners while 86 security forces personnel also embraced shahadat. Agency has been cleansed of militants and writ of the government has been restored.