DESPITE repeated warnings by Pakistan, there is no let up in foreign origin terrorist incidents in the country, forcing the authorities concerned to launch an all-encompassing operation to neutralize the growing security challenge. There were no two opinions that there has been a surge in dastardly attacks ever since assumption of power by the Taliban in neighbouring Afghanistan but the deadliest attack of Tuesday in DI Khan is a grim reminder that Pakistan will have to rely on its own strength to foil designs of the internal and external elements.
Martyrdom of 23 troopers and injury to more than 30 others is, indeed, a national tragedy and that is why it sparked strong reaction from all segments of the society, who condemned not only the perpetrators of the gruesome crime but also their backers and facilitators. Salute to the bravery and alertness of the soldiers who effectively foiled the attempt of a group of six terrorists to enter into a compound used by security forces in DI Khan’s Daraban area in early hours of Tuesday. The assault was followed by blasts, as militants rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the gate and carried out a subsequent suicide bombing. According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the resulting explosion caused the building to collapse, leading to multiple casualties. All six militants were engaged and sent to hell. The Bomb Disposal Squad said more than 100kg of high-grade explosives were used in the attack, which residents said continued for more than an hour. In separate incidents, 17 terrorists were killed in Darazinda on the night between Monday and Tuesday and their hideout was busted. Four more militants were killed in another operation in Kulachi the same night, in which two soldiers also lost their lives, bringing the total number of soldiers martyred in the district to twenty-five. The nation stands fully behind the defence forces, police and intelligence agencies in their coordinated efforts to weed out the menace of terrorism. However, it is time to take some tough but minutely-calculated measures to decimate the threat and its source. The DIK attack has been claimed by the so-called Tehreek-i-Jihad Pakistan (TJP), which is linked to the Afghanistan-based TTP elements. Pakistan has consistently been urging the Afghan Government to take verifiable steps against the terrorist outfit but Afghanistan has been evasive. The latest incident occurred in the backdrop of reports that the authorities in Kabul have given assurances of concrete action against TTP terrorists but the incident shows Afghanistan was not sincere in dealing with the elements posing a security threat for Pakistan and its people. Instead of taking action against terrorists enjoying safe havens, the Taliban Government seems to be colluding with anti-Pakistan elements to pressurize Islamabad on the issue of deportation of Afghan nationals living illegally in Pakistan. Pakistan Foreign Office has done well by summoning the Charge d’Affaires of the Afghan Interim Government (AIG) to deliver a strong demarche. He was asked to immediately convey to the Afghan interim government to fully investigate and take stern action against perpetrators of the recent attack, publicly condemn the terrorist incident at the highest level, take immediate verifiable actions against all terrorist groups (including their leadership) and their sanctuaries, apprehend and handover the perpetrators of the attack and the TTP leadership in Afghanistan to the Government of Pakistan and take all necessary measures to deny the persistent use of Afghan soil for terrorism against Pakistan. The law and order situation is assuming serious dimensions as the date for the general elections (slated for February 08) is approaching, which is also an indication that the enemies are trying to scuttle the march of the country on democratic path. Economic activity is also gaining momentum and a law and order situation is being created to undermine such activities. Pakistan has presented legitimate demands and there was no reason the Afghan Government should not cooperate in bringing those to book who are involved in killing innocent people and attacking defenders of the motherland. However, the track record of the Taliban Government in this regard is not encouraging, therefore, a comprehensive and firm strategy should be evolved after a national debate to deal with the situation with or without the cooperation of the Kabul Government.
