THE suicide attack outside Kabal Police Station in Swat on Sunday stands among the most heinous acts of terrorism witnessed in recent months. At least 15 people, including six Police personnel, embraced martyrdom, while dozens of others were injured, many of them critically. This reprehensible attack deserves the strongest possible condemnation. It is a grim reminder that terrorists have no regard for human life, human dignity or the sanctity of peace.
The timing of the attack exposes the depravity of its perpetrators. The suicide bomber struck as hundreds of people had gathered nearby at Kabal Chowk to protest the resurgence of terrorism in Swat and to demand lasting peace. By targeting a Police station adjacent to a public demonstration, the terrorists deliberately sought to inflict maximum casualties and spread fear. Pakistan continues to pay a heavy price in war against terrorism. Our brave security personnel and innocent civilians alike continue to lay down their lives in this war. Just a day before the Swat attack, a Pakistan Army officer embraced martyrdom during an intelligence-based operation in Razmak, where five foreign-backed terrorists were eliminated. Only days earlier, security forces neutralized 24 terrorists in Khyber district. There is an uptick in terror incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan but the resolve of our security forces remains unwavering. Intelligence-based operations continue relentlessly to dismantle terrorist infrastructure, eliminate militant leadership and deny these groups the space to operate. Their courage and professionalism have repeatedly demonstrated that terrorism can be defeated through persistence, vigilance and sacrifice. There should be no doubt that the elements backing terrorism against Pakistan will fail once again. Just as they were defeated in the past, they will be neutralized completely this time as well. With the collective resolve of the nation and the professionalism of our defence forces and law enforcement agencies, the forces of terror will never prevail over the nation’s determination to secure lasting peace.
