Al-Qaeda has recently issued a video that focuses on denying that it was behind a series of bombings in Pakistan which killed scores of innocent civilians; declaring that such attacks are un-Islamic. It further stated that "...mujahideen do not target Muslims." This distancing by Al-Qaeda would go a long way in pinpointing the actual perpetrators of the ongoing bloodbath in our country. The elimination process needs to be carried forth in the form of talks and mediation. Now is the time to invoke the traditional institution of jirga to single out misleading elements from their safe havens being trained and sponsored by anti-Pakistan states and non-state outfits. Employment of mediation and dialogue, as a tool of reconciliation, should go side by side with tactical and operational level military actions against proven criminal and terrorist elements. In fact both these instruments need to be prudently orchestrated to achieve the objective of securing our country against the activities by the extremist elements of various brands, while providing a chance and motivation for those who want to dissociate themselves from the criminal gangsters on face saving terms. Talks and mediation is nothing but a political process that provides an overarching umbrella for conception, employment and termination of military instrument. Without concurrently operative political process, the traditional application of force may not achieve the desired objectives because this effort may lag behind the overall composite dynamics of the conflict pattern. In Pakistan, extremism is on exhibition in its full boom. This hydra-headed monster is posing perceptional dilemma amongst the intelligentsia. The analogy of blind men trying to feel an elephant in a dark room and then describing it on the basis of the portion they could touch-feel is applicable to most of us trying to look into the causes of the current phenomenon. Hence, establishment of accurate cause and effect relationship remains incomplete, and as a corollary, suggested solutions fall short in terms of wholesomeness. From text book perspective, the ongoing conflict embraces all perceivable attributes, properties and functions of a sub-conventional war. The causes are as much internal as they are external. Ethnic and sectarian fault-lines have always existed within Pakistan and with meagre spill-over across the borders. These traditional fault-lines have been stretched and are being exploited by external state and non-state actors. The permeation of multiple foreign influences has made these fault-lines carrier of multifaceted agenda of sponsors. State actors are those countries which have tangible military presence and clandestine presence of armed outfits in the region of conflict. Non-state actors include the entities which are operating under the undeclared patronage of some dubious states, as well as non-government sponsored self-contained outfits with a narrow ideological agenda. Then there are multitudes of intelligence agencies working at cross-purposes. Moreover, there are politically disgruntled elements who are trying to take advantage of the situation and raise autonomist slogans. Sometimes, crimes arising out of clan, ethnic and sectarian fissures also get attributed to extremist activity for ease of disposal. Reasons are also economic because since the occupation of Afghanistan there has not been a worthwhile economic activity there as well as in our adjoining tribal areas to support a respectable living. A drug-dominated economy and thug-dominated security in Afghanistan has had its telling effects there and have also radiated the effects into Pakistan. Furthermore, anyone and everyone who had ever dreamed of settling scores with Pakistan have joined the rat race. One really needs to ponder over the reasons which make the barren and mountainous Afghanistan so attractive for the militant operatives from all over the world. Recent arrest of five Americans from Sargodha, while they were in a preparatory phase prior to their crossing over to Afghanistan, indicates that the appeal is universal. Nevertheless, one needs to ascertain whether such lots are really religious zealots or are pawns in some other greater design. At this point and time when Afghanistan is relatively calm for the last couple of years, extremists have been defeated squarely in the Malakand Division and are about to be defeated in South Waziristan, there was hardly a need for surge. It was time for the occupation forces to depart and not to strengthen their encampment. The 'surge' factor has further antagonised the local population of Afghanistan and as indeed our tribal belt. More troops mean more resistance; more spill-over into Pakistan and more acts of intensified violence. The decision of a new surge has indeed exposed the hidden agenda of the occupation forces that is while remaining below conventional war thresholds, keep Pakistan in a state of flux over a protracted period, then stage manage an internal or regional crisis drama and enact the final showdown. The induction of Blackwater category clandestine forces speaks of nefarious designs. Portraying a larger than life profile of Al-Qaeda (now having a 100 operatives), and projecting the presence of its leadership in Pakistan is all pointing towards some ominous agenda. Here, a common Pakistani thinks that actual target is our strategic (read nuclear) assets. Other than a lousy encampment, nothing worthwhile has been accomplished by the occupation forces over the last eight years, in Afghanistan, to eradicate the factors that breed and strengthen the extremism. No socio-economic uplift, no creation of worthwhile jobs and no alternative education system. Economy is dominated by drug peddlers and warlords. Security of convoys is delegated to Taliban via thug mafias. Shadow Taliban governors are calling the shots. Demographically, lopsided security forces are being developed by marginalising the Pashtun majority. The Afghan National Army (ANA) is predominantly officered by Tajik and Hazara minority. This outfit lacks national roots and support, hence is unable to stand on its feet. With these structural shortfalls the situation in Afghanistan is not likely to get better. So fury of the occupation forces is likely to snowball with each tactical level failure of surge offensive. It is the erratic fallout of this fury that we need to protect our people against. Mediation and dialogue would provide a way out to put our house in order before coming spring when surges would unleash death on what all comes their way. Traditionally, all kinds of warfare begins with the collapse of dialogue and mediation and ends with the resumption of talks. Swat operation was a result of the failure of negotiations and South Waziristan's military operation is likely to culminate soon, followed by resumption of talks. Undoubtedly, mediation oriented talks are always fruitful in untying the complexities of conflict. Track II methodology could work wonders in this context and facilitate the enacting of piecemeal solutions within the ambit of a holistic remedial strategy. The writer is a retired officer of the Pakistan Air Force. E mail: khalid3408@gmail.com