The ugly face of terror

Pakistan, having fought and won war on terrorism, stands in a much stronger position to quash its resurgence

Pakistan’s security forces are battling a faceless enemy. The brave men have stood their ground in their endeavour to defeat terrorism, and accomplished great feats. This is why there are reprisals as desperate elements try to make their presence felt off and on. Tuesday’s tragedy which saw more than 25 Pakistan Army soldiers martyred in Dera Ismail Khan district was, perhaps, in retaliation to an unwavering resolve of security force to purge the country of brutal terrorists. More than 27 terrorists were also killed in three separate incidents countrywide. The unfortunate day will be remembered for registering the military’s highest single-day death toll from terrorist attacks reported this year.

The attack on a check-post in the Daraban area must be studied on a broader canvas in the wake of unabated infiltration from Afghanistan. While the Tehreek-e-Jihad, an affiliate of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP), has claimed responsibility for the vicious attack, it makes it crystal clear that foreign hand is involved in sabotaging peace in the country, and at the same time testing the determination and resilience of our security forces. This calls for a coordinated and sustained response at civil, military and diplomatic levels to not only expose the ugly face of the enemy in disguise but also to eliminate the nefarious elements who act as abettors in various shades and guises.

Most of the losses of security forces in DI Khan were owing to roof collapse, as the attackers drove an explosive-laden vehicle into the main gate of the building. It is pleasing to learn that all the six attackers were exterminated in the operation, and 17 other terrorists were taken out in an intelligence-driven operation in the Darazinda area of DI Khan. Security forces have increasingly come under attack in the former tribal areas bordering Afghanistan and even in the settled regions of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. The fugitive TTP and Baloch terror groups are behind this vicious terror campaign. Their intention is not only to bleed Pakistan but also to derail the pace of development under the banner of CPEC. The fact that Kabul has not been able to honour its promise of reining in these non-state actors operating from its soil makes it an issue of counter-terrorism offensive. Regional players and major powers must take stock of the situation and prevail over the dispensation in Kabul to do the needful.

It is a foregone conclusion, nonetheless, that the nation has rejected elements who once used to campaign for ‘holy’ war under the guise of religion. The categorical pronouncement of Paighan-e-Pakistan — declaring such elements as terrorists and outlawing the prerogative of issuing fatwas and carrying guns by anyone one other than the state — has rejuvenated nationalism. This has been further emboldened by the resilience of our armed forces and the unanimity of approach by our civil and military leaderships. Pakistan, having fought and won the war on terrorism, stands in a much stronger position to quash its resurgence.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 13^th, 2023.

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