The suicide by Shumaila Kanwal, the widow of Muhammad Faheem, one of Raymond Davis two victims, carries an ominous message. Shumaila was a young girl in her teens, recently married, whose husband was suddenly taken away from her. All her dreams about her future were shattered. The pain was made all the more unbearable because she could do nothing about bringing the killer to justice. She understood like many others in this country that the man being an American functionary was beyond the reach of law. Soon after Davis arrest, Washington was demanding that the government hand him over without any conditions. The statements by the government leaders indicated they were under great pressure. Shumaila could not cope with the stress and the agony and decided to take away her life. Had she been under the influence of any extremist group, she could have turned into a suicide bomber.
In Shumailas case the anger and frustration got directed to herself. In other cases, incidents of the sort lead to the victims relatives targeting the killer. Failing that they direct their anger and frustration tat those associated with him even if they are innocent.
What turns a man into a suicide bomber is an immense sense of personal loss combined with a feeling that one is unable to get justice through normal channels. By resorting to suicide bombing, he chooses one of the unconventional means devised by the weak to settle scores with the strong.
Suicide attacks were unknown in Pakistan before the US forces entered Afghanistan and started targeting Pakistanis living near the Afghan border. Not that there wasnt any violence in the country. In fact, ethnic and sectarian terrorism was rampant in Pakistan from late 1980s onward, long before the American troops landed in Afghanistan. As Sufi Mohammad tried to take over the Malakand Division in a bid to enforce Shariah with the help of the gun, TNSMs armed bands killed and kidnapped people by dozens. A PPP provincial legislator was also among the killed.
Revenge is a common practice in Pakistans tribal areas to settle scores. Even in Punjab, it remains a value in certain areas where the heirs of the deceased are looked down upon if they fail to undertake reprisals. During the last decade of the British rule in India, the case of a freedom activist Udham Singh illustrates this vividly. Unable to take revenge for the Jalianwalla Bagh massacre in 1919, the man nursed the sentiment for a full 21 years and finally succeeded in killing former Punjab Governor Sir Michael ODwyer in London in 1940.
Suicide attacks picked up speed in Pakistan after the US aerial attacks in Bajaur in January and October 2006. The first attack was undertaken to target Ayman Al-Zawahiri, who was in fact no more in the area. Instead it led to the killing of 18 innocent villagers. The second attack was avowedly aimed at destroying a militants training camp. It was later found that the targeted area was not a training facility but a madrassah and the majority of the 80 killed comprised of young students. The enraged local population had no means to take revenge on a superpower for the killing of non-combatants and children. As Musharraf owned the attacks as having been conducted by Pakistans security forces, the army henceforth became a prime target of suicide attacks. Much of what Pakistan is reaping now is what the Americans sowed in 2006.
Suicide attacks became too frequent after the ruthless Operation Silence conducted against Lal Masjid occupants, mostly young students from Swat and tribal areas in July 2007. It was known to the security agencies that the militants were collecting weapons in the seminary but Musharraf allowed the activity to go on. The incident could have been avoided if Musharraf had taken timely action against the Lal Masjid clerics who had been in constant conflict with authorities in Islamabad for 18 months before this event panned out. They engaged in violent demonstrations, hate speeches, destruction of property, kidnapping, arson, and armed clashes with authorities. After the Lal Masjid incident, militants set fire to the Ministry of Environment building and attacked the Army Rangers who guarded it. The military responded and the highly disproportionate use of force resulted in 154 deaths and the capture of 50 militants.
Musharraf was seen to be no more than a cats paw. It was understood that the US was behind the operation. Hell was let loose after the killings.
In the case of Raymond Davis arrest, the US responded with characteristic superpower bluster. After two days of the incident, Washington declared Davis a part of the diplomatic staff who enjoyed immunity. Then followed the threats of freezing of aid, stopping all high level diplomatic contacts, putting Zaradris Washington visit on hold etc.
Talking about terrorists, President Bush had once said, They commit terrorism because they hate our freedoms. In fact many people in the Third World hate the US not because of its freedoms but because of its policies and the arrogance displayed by its political leadership and government officials. Davis being the employee of the sole superpower thought he was free to shoot two Pakistanis even when they were on the run without stealing anything from his car. He could then come out of the car and photograph them with immunity. The US Consulate has refused with characteristic arrogance to hand over the vehicle and its driver who killed another Pakistani to the police.
Policies and attitudes of the sort continue to spawn suicide bombers all over the Muslim world.
The writer is a former academic and a political analyst.