The incidents of terrorism are increasing across the country despite the actions of army, security forces, and other law enforcement agencies.
How did the menace of terrorism come to Pakistan? There are conflicting opinions on the emergency of terrorism. Some analysts have linked it to the tenure of military ruler General Pervez Musharraf.
Pakistan preferred to side with the United States in the war on terrorism and the nation suffered the consequences for the next two decades. The Taliban was angered after Pakistan lent support to NATO forces and the animosity continues to date.
After the US-led invasion of Afghanistan, the Taliban considered all allied countries as their perpetual enemies. This led to the emergence of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) which carried out numerous terrorist attacks in Pakistan.
Terror hideouts in Afghanistan
A meeting of regional powers was held in Kazan, Russia where the interim government in Afghanistan urged to “dismantle, eliminate, and prevent placement of all sorts of terrorist groups” in the country.
The representatives of Pakistan, India, China, Russia, Afghanistan and Iran participated in the meeting to discuss the situation in Afghanistan under the Moscow format.
The joint declaration after the meeting said that the Taliban government must eliminate all hideouts of terrorists from Afghanistan primarily the Islamic State.
It said the parties noted with concern the difficult security situation in Afghanistan due to the intensification of the activities of terrorist groups.
It called on the incumbent Afghan authorities to prevent the country from being a terrorism and instability hotspot and spreading to the regional states. It said groups such as the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) gained strength in Afghanistan.
Mustang and Hangu explosion
On Friday, the town of Mustang in north-west Balochistan targeting a procession on the festive occasion of Eid Milad-ul-Nabi, martyred 54 people and injured dozens others. The number of people killed in a suicide blast soon reached 59 while several others are in critical condition.
Another terrorist attack occurred in the Hangu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after two suicide bombers struck a mosque. One of them blew himself on the entrance and the other attempted to enter the main compound before he was shot by a police officer.
Global Condemnation
Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Egypt and France strongly condemned and condemned the terrorist attacks and reiterated their solidarity with Pakistan.
In separate statements by the respective ministries, the countries expressed their sympathy and condolences to the bereaved families.
RAW involvement
Interior Minister Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti categorically declared that India’s foreign intelligence agency – Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) was involved in the recent terror attacks in Balochistan, reiterating the resolve to pursue terrorists to their “dens.”
“All incidents that took place before Mastung attacks have been unearthed and RAW’s involvement has been found in all these incidents”, said Bugti
“Those playing the role of a facilitator, whoever is doing this — be it anyone, whatever you may call it — they all are the same for us, all have the same origins, all are being handled from one place, RAW is behind all them.”
Terrorism and Religion
Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir says our operation against terrorists would continue unabated and the Armed Forces shall not rest till the menace of terrorism is rooted out.
The COAS such incidents of terrorism on 12 Rabi’ al-Awwal depict the ill intent of the Khawarij, who have the backing of state sponsors of terrorism. He said these terrorists and their facilitators, having no link with religion and ideology, are proxies of the enemies of Pakistan and its people.
The army chief said these forces of evil will continue to face full might of the state and security forces backed by a resilient nation.
The COAS emphasized that the people of Pakistan have rejected terrorists’ pseudo ideology and propaganda of their backers and they are fully committed to peace, economic progress and human development which indeed is causing a lot of distress to forces of evil in and outside of the country.
