Terror backlash

Terror is once again raising its ugly face. Back to back attacks in Peshawar, and the fact that suicide bombers seem to be on the loose is a worrisome proposition. A policeman, who exhibited utmost bravery as he tried to check a couple of suspects, embraced martyrdom, and is in need of being eulogised. More than nine people were injured in a blast in Bara Bazaar in Khyber district, on Thursday, with the only consolation that both the attackers were gunned down. The provinces of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan are in a renewed wave of unrest. The reenacting of terror must solicit some out-of-the-box response from the authorities concerned, as it is an existential crisis.

This uptick in revulsion has multiple factors behind it. One, is the return of unscrupulous elements from Afghanistan, who are unfortunately unchecked for reasons of unknown exigency. Two, a beleaguered political situation coupled with instability has apparently led to a decline in vigil, making room for anti-social elements to step in. The situation demands some instant response and cannot be brushed under the carpet through mere statements of condemnations. Last but not least, sleeping cells seem to be untraced and out of radar, and is evident from the fact that a little known Tehreek-e-Jihad entity had the audacity to claim responsibility for the attack on Zhob Cantonment last week, which ambushed nine paramilitary troops. Similarly, since the so-called ceasefire with the outlawed TTP has come to an end, Pakistan is on the brink of severe internal and external fissures, impacting its relations with Afghanistan too.

It is quite concerning that during the first six months of the year, a think tank has recorded more than 400 casualties countrywide. This is simply because we have blinked at some point of time, and deviated our synergies away from the National Action Plan. Moreover, lack of coordination among various stakeholders is often blamed, and this loophole must be addressed. Time to beef up the resolve to eradicate terrorism and its abettors from our midst.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 21^st, 2023.

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