Growing terror spectrum

Beyond insurgency-hit Afghan border areas, militants now operate freely in settled districts

Two back-to-back terrorist incidents in K-P have once again underscored the need for better coordination to deal with an existential threat. An explosives-laden vehicle was rammed into a check-post in Bajaur district, which resulted in the martyrdom of 11 security personnel. In retaliatory fire, 12 terrorists belonging to Indian proxies were sent to hell.

In another attack, three policemen laid down their lives while bravely confronting dreaded elements in a gunfight in Kabalgram area of Shangla district. The provincial CTD and elite police force were the prime targets, as the civilian gear in K-P is leading from the front in unearthing the terror nexus. According to the ISPR, an infant girl lost her life and seven civilians were injured in the Shangla incident.

Yesterday's attacks came days after an SHO was shot dead in the War Mamund tehsil. The pattern of terrorism is quite worrisome as apart from insurgency-hit regions bordering Afghanistan, the unscrupulous elements are fearlessly operating in settled areas of the province too. This mosaic of bloodletting needs to be studied closely in the backdrop of the last month's hostage-taking incidents in 12 towns of Balochistan.

Also, the targeted attacks on security forces in K-P and Balochistan are now graduating to pin-pointed strikes on civilians. Last but not least is the suicide bomber who made his way into a Shia mosque in Islamabad earlier this month, killing and maiming more than 150 worshippers. This calls for astute intelligence gathering and sound coordination among the various law-enforcement entities.

Pakistan Army has conducted hundreds of IBOs in both provinces, killing at least 242 militants last month. The outgoing year saw a 43% rise in terror activities. The terror backlash has regional connotations as the hub of revulsion lies in Afghanistan. The UN has validated this through its reports twice in the last few months, blaming the Taliban regime for failing to nail down the terrorists. Pakistan has no choice but to push them back through kinetic means, alongside beefing up its indigenous protocols with political backing.