Another terrorist attack

Terrorism has become like a dormant volcano in Pakistan. It remains dormant for some time and then erupts again leaving behind a trail of death and destruction. After a lull of a few months, terrorists struck Dera Ismail Khan in K-P province on July 21. Eight people, including four policemen, have been martyred in the terrorist attack. First, the terrorists shot dead two cops in a gun attack on a police check post. Later, a suicide bomber targeted a government hospital killing six people, two of them policemen, and wounding 28 others. The suicide bomber was clad in a burqa but it is not clear whether the bomber was a male or female. When the bodies of the two policemen killed in the gun attack were being shifted to the Trauma Centre of the District Headquarters Hospital, the suicide bomber, who was sitting at the entrance of the trauma centre, detonated the explosives strapped to his body. At that time colleagues and relatives of the martyred policemen had gathered there. A police official told the media that two policemen, four civilians, including a minor girl, had been killed in the suicide bombing. The TTP’s Khorasani group has claimed responsibility for the attack. A spokesman for the TTTP said the suicide and gun attack had been carried out in revenge for the killing of two Taliban commanders by the Counter-Terrorism Police around a month back. A forensic expert said the explosives used in the suicide attack weighed 8-10kg. Later on July 21, the police said they had arrested 16 suspects in connection with the attack, all from proscribed organisations.

It is undeniable that terrorists are being provided funds and weapons by powers hostile to Pakistan. The government should not only deal with the terrorists with an iron hand but try to win the hearts and minds of the misguided elements. The possibility of unscrupulous elements giving a helping hand to terrorists cannot be ruled out. There are people in our midst who have expensive tastes and a lifestyle which they cannot support with their available income. All such aspects should be thoroughly investigated. 

Published in The Express Tribune, July 23^rd, 2019.

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