Bloodshed in capital

A suicide blast in the capital city's judicial complex that left at least 12 people dead and 30 wounded has come at a time when the country is at the crossroads of a renewed political struggle. Incidentally, the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi were, on that day, hosting two international assemblages, the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers' Conference and the Margalla Dialogue, as well as a cricket match with Sri Lanka.

This gives credence to the possibility of a well-calculated terror plot aimed at furthering instability. The fact that the suicide bomber stood outside the court for a while and also tried to make his way into the premises thickens the plot. It also raises questions on the security arrangements that were unable to detect the presence of a high-value unscrupulous element.

The blast, as a metaphor, came a day after a bulldozed legislation literally decimated the veracity and authority of the judicial system, rendering the Supreme Court subordinate to the executive. Similarly, a blast in New Delhi as electioneering season was underway in several Indian states provides unsubstantiated but plausible linkage to a well-choreographed cross-border conspiracy.

Islamabad blast could be the handwork of Fitna Al Khawarij, Indian proxies scot-free in the country, and calls for deeper introspection. Last but not least is the nail-biting standoff underway at a cadet college in Wana, South Waziristan, where reportedly Afghan women intruders had taken over a section of the premises that houses hundreds of military trainees. The terrorists from the western frontier had earlier slammed a truck loaded with explosives into the college.

This new wave of terrorism necessitates some well-calculated response, and must be read in terms of revulsion on the eastern and western frontiers. Also, it's high time the socio-political unrest simmering in the country be evaluated, and steps taken for an amicable solution. Renewed threat posturing from Delhi and the security vacuum that is evolving with the forceful expulsion of Afghans are instant existential issues, and cannot be left for another day.