WHILE there can be no two opinions over the establishment of the writ of the state in the tribal areas and Swat, this has to be done in a way causing least disturbance to the civilian population. Many had supported the NWFP government's attempts to hold talks with the militants and there were hopes that these would bring peace to the scenic valley which has been a major tourist attraction for decades. Unfortunately, the expectations were not fulfilled. As extremist elements burnt girls' schools and attacked police checkposts despite the peace accord, the local Taliban failed to stop the activities or condemn them. They meanwhile accused the government of not carrying out its part of the deal. But even if this was so, there was no justification on their part to resort to lawlessness and defy the state. An operation has consequently been launched. On Thursday the operation took toll of 26 lives of which at least 16 were civilians, including women and children. The killing of such a large number of non-combatants is highly unacceptable. Security forces were reported to have used helicopter gunships and artillery to pound what were described as militants' hideouts. Apparently populated areas, rather than isolated camps, were targeted. The killings have led to protests in Swat with people condemning what they called indiscriminate shelling. Instead of weakening or isolating the militants, operations of the sort are likely to turn the population against the law enforcement agencies and provide the militants more volunteers. A realisation is gradually taking place even among prominent American thinktanks that shock-and-awe methods are counterproductive in dealing with the militants. A study by Rand Corporation released on Tuesday has found that since 1968 only seven percent of militant groups were defeated militarily while 43 percent were neutralised through political settlements and 40 percent through use of police and intelligence forces. It recommends a fundamental rethinking of the US counter-terrorist strategy, so that it has "a light military footprint, or none at all." There are many in Pakistan who agree with Lt Gen(rtd) Ali Mohammad Jan Aurakzai that it was wrong to scrap the agreements concluded with militants in Waziristan and Bajaur under foreign pressure and that this has led to a trust and credibility deficit in the tribal areas. Those conducting the operation must pay heed to his advice that in order to yield positive results a military action has to be of short duration and must avoid collateral damage. The government has to improve the working of its intelligence agencies and provide more resources to the local police to locate and apprehend the militants instead of subjecting entire populated areas to military action. The sooner the operation in Swat ends, the better.