Triumph of resolve
Terrorism stands defeated in Bannu. The siege of a Counter-Terrorism Department centre by militants for almost three days was a question mark on the security forces’ capacity to respond. The good point, however, is that an operation conducted by the SSG commandos has resulted in the extermination of all the captors. The martyrdom of two elite soldiers is a national loss. While the TTP had staked its claim, the befitting gun-power response was a much-desired tit-for-tat. The authorities, by refusing to succumb to the demands of the militia – safe passage and a copter to Afghanistan – have relived the essence of anti-terrorism. Bannu’s shootout must have surely sent the message that there is a zero-tolerance approach to such jingoism by unscrupulous elements who dream of taking the state for a ride.
Now the more important question. The capacity of the anti-terror decorum as well as the local police and paramilitary must stand a scrutiny. An intelligence dossier recently spelt out the inherent flaws and deactivated spots in the counter-terrorism bodies, and they are in need of being ploughed out. Moreover, the lesson from Bannu is that there is a laxity of immediate response, and such incidents must be encountered with full might. While Pakistan has paid a very heavy price in eliminating the terror apparatus, the policy should be that there won’t be any talks with anyone who wields a gun at the state or the people. No point is indulging in a debate whether the jurisdiction to act rests with the province or the federation, or for that matter the armed forces of the country. What is more essential is a slap for a slap response, especially at a time when shady characters are regrouping with a vested agenda at work.
Pakistan is at a critical juncture. As the western frontier is slipping into chaos and the security situation in Afghanistan is becoming vulnerable, the need is to closely monitor the faceless subjects around us. With Bannu captors taken out, the government should go for an identity and affiliation sweep of the dead men to net on their sympathisers and abettors. Nail down the fissure to its logical end.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 21st, 2022.
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