Terrorism, rebirth and 21st Century manifestations
OF late there has been a spur in the terrorism activities initiated by TTP and other elements sponsored by foreign powers both in the KP and Balochistan. The release of terrorists from TTP without going into the legalities and guarantees was not advisable. Results are in front of us. Pakistan eliminated this foreign-sponsored menace at a very heavy cost and political price. 1965 War, India understood that they could not defeat Pakistan in any direct attack. They, as a strategy, used subversion and blatant invasion in the weakest spot of Pakistan – East Pakistan.
Terrorism has been an instrument of state policy since ages. It was formalized in 19th Century. Modern terrorism has its roots way back to ancient times; first century when Jewish sicarii zealots resorted to attacks, later the Persian order used assassins. The rise of terrorism during the French revolution (1793-94) gained currency when the civilians who opposed the revolution were subjected to terrorist pressure is noteworthy. In defining terrorism there is no fixed definition. The modern definition, use of force to coerce, utilize threats to spread fear – to attain political and ideological goals
Currently terrorism is promoted as an instrument both by the state, and private groups tied to philosophy. The state acts keeping in view its own objectives. There is a thin line between terrorism and heroism. The Spanish invasion by Napoleon gave rise to a special brand of fighting activity which is known as guerrilla warfare. The word Guerra means little war. While the violence is primary means to promote terrorism. There are options on how to achieve the goal. The recruitment of young men and women on the basis of religion, ideology, ethnic fault- lines, economic disparities and monetary incentives is the norm. While the state has unlimited funds to promote, the non-state actors get their funding from interested quarters, foreign sponsors, smuggling, coercion and thriving on corruption. There is a nexus between politics, crime and corruption, a medium, suitable to a terrorist to achieve financing, manpower and political clout.
9/11 was a watershed in defining terrorism globally. The United State coined the word Islamic Terrorism to serve political and strategic aims. UN charter used as a vehicle. The victims are the Islamic countries where the political, strategic and economic aims of the big powers coincided. Some states, fighting movements against oppressive regimes, from 1973 onwards, (Sikh movement) quickly adopted this new slogan of terrorism, the Islamic terrorists. Humanity suffered and has been still suffering. India seized this opportunity to crush popular movements in India. It immediately picked up this phrase to crush internal independence movements and to use it to tame the Muslims in India. Individually every country tackles the problem in its own way. There is no classic example of military strategy or police methodology to combat the creativity of violence from territory.
Ironically, TTP has never been acknowledged as part of Afghan Taliban, though they have been supporting Afghan Taliban against US to some extent, not all factions. It is the psyche of the Afghan Taliban; they are obliged to TTP in their fight against the US occupation. They pressed Pakistan to negotiate with TTP, contrary to the commitment of the Doha Agreement. It is an established fact; negotiations can only be held with an organization or a consolidated group. There are many terrorist factions having allegiance to different organizations and sponsors who are anti-Pakistan. There is only one option, surrender without any conditions. They must not be allowed to mingle again in the settled areas freely.
The terrorism itself changed technology development. They use conventional methods, now coupled with technology IT, Cyber, Satellite Communications, and space. It has opened many new targets to terrorists like financial institutions corrupting their data and halting all businesses, creating social unrest through media and cyber space as well as by exploiting the fault lines within the population and the society at large and religion. Economy attacked, and in the society create a wedge between the factions to achieve the objective. Ethnic fault-lines and economic exploitation are old age methodology of a terrorist. 21st century terrorists now use vehicle technology. Social media, cyber space and IT are new mediums to cause damage to the target country. Penetration in any field creates havoc to the target which will need time and finances. Environment change is an example of change having tactical and strategic manifestations, created artificially by the terrorists, state damage the target areas on a massive scale. The damage to the Hydro Electric dam in Kherson region of Ukraine is a recent example. The terrorists create global impact not confined to specific boundaries. In the coming days the use of artificial intelligence (AI) cannot be ruled out and the states must keep a watch.
In final analysis, terrorism is now a multi-dimensional threat perspective. The fifth-generation war can spread its wings into the target countries and societies in horizontal and vertical planes. Political instability is a fertile ground. The spectrum covers attacks in multiple areas, conventional use of force, financial institutions, hacking the data banks, penetrating IT infrastructure, environment, social unrest to create, society’s degradation, attack IT platform of defence infrastructure, communication disruption, paralyzing communications, information hacking and subvert mindset of the youth. The use of drugs, trafficking and migration of manpower is also a tool. The wide spectrum of terrorism is very wide and needs to be solved with identical means and not managed through conventional methods. In Pakistan, a total new orientation and restructuring of anti-terrorist infrastructure is vital.
—The author is Brigadier Rtd with Gallantry distinctions. A senior Defence and TV analyst.
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