Terror uptick

In a renewed phase of encounters, at least 45 terrorist were killed as 19 soldiers embraced martyrdom in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Three intelligence-based operations conducted between September 10 and 13 in various parts of the restive province also brought to the fore the ugly reality that Afghan nationals are involved in terror activities. Coupled with them are the Indian proxies, making it quite clear that Pakistan faces incursions from across both its eastern and western borders.

The uptick in attacks has forced Pakistan to minutely monitor the repatriation of illegal Afghans to their country, and at the same time raise the infiltration issue with Kabul. It is quite unfortunate that all its pleas have fallen on deaf ears as Taliban 2.0 dispensation apparently is unresponsive and at a failure in addressing an issue of existential importance for both the countries.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Gen Asim Munir, who visited the injured and attended the funerals of martyrs, have once again reiterated use of "full force" to deter the wave of extremism. TTP, BLA and other home-grown rogue elements are at the vanguard of terror activities, and have taken refuge amidst civil quarters in the guise of ethno-lingual shades. This makes the task of exposing and exterminating them quite arduous, leaving the forces to pin hopes on accurate intelligence gathering and coordinated mop operations. This is where the regional states must cooperate with Islamabad, as the faceless enemy cannot be restricted to borders and could spill over as a nuisance across the frontiers.

Pakistan, being a victim of terrorism, has rendered immense sacrifices and its lenient approach towards its neighbours should not be construed as its weakness. Thus, the declaration to use 'full force' is apt and it is high time Islamabad opted for hot pursuits and flushed out unscrupulous elements holed up on the western frontiers. Taking out Al Qaeda, ISIK, BLA, TTP and their abettors must be a regional task, and a wider counter-terrorism operation is indispensable.