Terror in Bannu

Three consecutive terror attacks on armed forces convoys within a span of one month is a worrisome proposition. The recent to come was in Bannu district as a motorcycle-borne suicide bomber rammed into a military convoy killing nine soldiers on the spot. Five more are in a precarious condition. Thursday’s attack has come close on the heels of a similar one on South Waziristan, a week ago, wherein six armed personnel were killed.

Similarly, in the restive and desolate province of Balochistan, a daredevil attack was carried out in which 12 more soldiers and officers embraced martyrdom. All these casualties are in the line of fighting the invisible enemy that has deeply penetrated into the body fabric of the country, and is busy fanning unrest. But it goes to the credit of the Army, paramilitary troops and police that they are determined to exterminate the menace, and have exhibited exemplary bravery and initiatives in putting down this terror phenomenon.

Read Nine soldiers martyred in Bannu suicide attack

The uneasy peace prevalent comes as a tribute to security forces, though. They have stood like a rock in resisting the uptick in terror activities in recent months. The incoming of dreaded elements from Afghanistan, in the guise of refugees from the war-torn country, is at the root-cause of all ills. It goes without saying that the policy on humanitarian grounds to once again throw open the borders with the western disenfranchised neighbour was a faulty decision. It has taken a toll, and the cost is being paid in the form of civil and military losses.

Likewise, the inability of the dispensation in Kabul to strictly control the influx of elements that are bent upon fanning unrest inside Pakistan is another enigma. Last but not least, the coordination in terms of counter-terrorism operations between the two countries is not up to mark, and owing to a host of strategic and political implications, a perfect dye is yet to be cast. It’s time for both the states to realise that non-state actors are an existential threat, and they must be taken out.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 2^nd, 2023.

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