DESPITE increased focus of the Government on counter-terrorism, there is no let up in bloodbath in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) where at least 39 people, including seven women and a nine-year-old girl, were killed and 28 others injured when a convoy of passenger vehicles was ambushed in Lower Kurram on Thursday. The convoy, consisting of some 200 vehicles, was on its way from Parachinar to Peshawar when it came under heavy gunfire. There are speculations about involvement of the banned TTP in the carnage as it is active in Lower Kurram.
The attack might have sectarian dimensions but it should be viewed in the overall context of the wave of terrorism that has engulfed KP and Balochistan where there is resurgence in terror activities taking heavy toll of ordinary souls as well as personnel of law enforcing agencies. In this case too, the police personnel accompanying the convoy were targeted first. As usual, important personalities have condemned the incident vowing to take the ongoing war against terror to its logical conclusion and some circles are critical of the inability of the Government to provide security cover to its citizens. However, it is quite obvious that some foreign powers are fully involved in fanning sectarian tension and sponsoring acts of terror and sabotage. The Government is doing its level best to eliminate the threat but this daunting task cannot be completed without complete backing and vigilance of the people. It is strange that at a time when terrorists are killing dozens of innocent people frequently, some circles oppose a full-fledged counter-terrorism operation in KP because of their self-centred and political interests, thereby indirectly encouraging terrorist activities. The Federal Government is planning to hold a multi-party conference in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa next month to discuss the law and order situation. We hope this will not be a debating session and based on the input of the participants a comprehensive plan of action will be evolved on an urgent basis and implemented to ensure safety of life and properties of the citizens. The Foreign Office also reiterated its grave concern over the growing threat posed by terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil, urging the Taliban Administration in Kabul to take decisive action against militants sheltering in that country but here too a change of strategy is required in view of obstinate posture of the Taliban.
