Kabul blast

A roadside bomb blast in Kabul, which killed at least five people, has come as a grim reminder of the security situation in the strife-torn country. The attack seems to be well choreographed, and it was meant to send a message to the Taliban leadership. The bomb went off at a condolence gathering for the mother of Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid.

This attack is quite unnerving as Kabul was safe and secure to a great extent, and with the takeover of Taliban last month its security was extremely personified. Though none have claimed responsibility, it is widely believed that the outrageous Islamic State, which has its roots and a stronghold in eastern Afghanistan, may be behind it. This attack is the first of its kind since the exit of US forces from Afghanistan.

The earlier attacks on Kabul airport premises, retaliated with a missile and drone attack by the Pentagon, were claimed by ISIS-Khorasan as part of revenge against the occupation forces. The Taliban will have to do some serious introspection as they go on to lay out a policy of internal security. Though a militia in itself, the Taliban will have to deal with this exigency in a typical governance mode so as to avoid another civil war. While holding the reins of power, the Taliban simply cannot retaliate with force against such non-state actors. They should take on the faceless enemy in a tactful manner. Raising a national army will act as the ultimate deterrence.

It will help in securing the citizens from further attacks, and at the same time enable it to go after the enemy with full might of the state. Taliban’s thrust should be to ultimately exterminate all non-state actors and militias. This is sine qua non for a stable and prosperous Afghanistan. Only then can the ambitious agenda of nation-building be realised. Pakistan has rightly been calling upon the new leadership in Kabul to keep an eye on the fugitive TTP on their soil. Likewise, this attack necessitates a firm intelligence gathering network, and the United States should help Taliban consolidate their grip by cleansing terror remnants. Taking out ISIS and alQaeda is indispensable for perpetual peace in the region.