Pakistan has moved some helicopters from the fight against the Taliban to rescue and relief operations in flooded regions. "The first priority of these helicopters is relief work," a security official said on condition of anonymity. Asked how could it impact operations against militants in the north-west, he said.
"They cannot be readily available, but we can bring them back any time if we needed them. We haven't lowered our guard." Additionally, the Pakistan army has redeployed about 60,000 troops out of about 550,000 soldiers for relief efforts. Military officials say they had not withdrawn any of the 140,000 ground troops fighting militants along the border with Afghanistan, instead drawing them from the central Punjab region.
Any diversion of Pakistan army's focus from the fight with militants would raise alarm in the United States as Pakistani action in its wild border regions is crucial for Washington's efforts to suppress a raging Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan. Devastating floods are now affecting a third of the country and have made 4 million people homeless.
"I foresee a long-term engagement of the military in relief activities," Mehmood Shah, a former security chief of the ethnic Pashtun tribal lands on the Afghan border said. "If that is the case, then it will give a good opportunity to the Taliban to regroup themselves, replenish themselves and step up their attacks. It is worrisome."
The army is leading relief efforts and has gained in stature as the unpopular civilian government led by President Asif Ali Zardari has come under sharp criticism for its sluggish response to the disaster. Washington is especially worried that militants could exploit people's rising frustration with the government. There is also the prospect of possible food riots and social unrest.
Islamist charities, some of them with suspected links with militant groups, were quick to provide help to victims of the floods while authorities appeared to dither. But despite rising anger against the government, people would hate to see Taliban stage a comeback in areas they once held sway, analysts say. "No one wants them to reimpose their terror in Swat. No one wants them to again cut throats," said Usman Ghani, a resident of Swat Valley, which was a stronghold of militants until last year when the army beat them back. "Everyone hates them."
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