Sir: There has been much debate on the dynamics related to the radicalisation of Pakistani society, especially of the youth in troubled areas. Contrary to popular perception, the root cause of militancy and associated criminal activities does not have any link with the counterinsurgency operations launched by the military forces. The military presence in the war areas, in fact, has been taken as a blessing by the militancy-affected people. For them, the military is a source of strength against the prospective re-emergence of the militants who have been threatening revenge on all those supporting the operations. The triggering factor that leads to most of the youth in troubled areas joining or siding with the militants is prolonged socio-economic deprivation. Unemployed, illiterate youth, especially those without appropriate parental guidance, are more vulnerable to falling victim to this militant ideology. Therefore, I would urge the civil and military leaderships to end this decades-old deprivation of the tribal people so that they too can be part of mainstream society and not get trapped in militant hands. AMNA MALIK Via Email