Growing terror spectrum

Pakistan is in the eye of the storm. While a war looms on its eastern border owing to Delhi's transgression and hegemonic designs, the western frontier has already been in a war of attrition. The killing of 54 terrorists who tried to infiltrate into K-P from Afghanistan the other day is case in point, and goes on to testify that Pakistan itself is a victim of international terrorism.

In such a scenario what is desired is a regional cooperation on counterterrorism so that a plethora of non-state actors that are at large can be dealt with in a synchronised manner. Thus, Islamabad's offer to become part of any 'neutral and independent' probe on the Pahalgam incident should be taken in good faith and the process carried ahead so that the undesired warmongering can take a backseat and way for meaningful peace can be paved.

The bravado of Pakistani security forces deserves to be commended, and all-out efforts should be made to implement the National Action Plan so that the terrorists' sleeper cells can be exterminated. The uptick in terror since August 2021 when the US forces abandoned Afghanistan has led to bloodshed in Pakistan, and this aspect too should also be accounted for by the international community. More than 1,600 deaths and over 600 terror attacks have been reported across the country during this period.

With an accord with Kabul at hand wherein it was reiterated that no side will allow each other's soil to be used for terrorism, it is incumbent upon the Afghan Taliban to instantly move against the TTP elements and flush them out. The regrouping of terror outfits in both the countries and the proactivity of ISIK, especially, in collusion with BLA and Majeed Brigade constitute a broader spectrum of revulsion and destruction.

While these unscrupulous elements operate scot-free in the region, it is anybody's guess as to who could have plotted the tragic Pahalgam killings. Only a detailed scrutiny and mopping of the region under a new anti-terror protocol at the state-centric level can help overcome this dilemma of keeping fingers crossed after every eventuality.