Time for coordinated actions against terrorists
A coordinated operation against the militants was never as important as it is now. A number of signals emerging from the military high command and the US have made the terrorist outfits desperate. These included Gen Kayani’s Kakul address on 14 August calling for national unity in the battle against terrorism, the opening of the NATO supply routes and Panetta’s statement that Pakistan had finally decided to launch a military operation. The militants have therefore launched an all-out offensive using their sleeper cells in different cities to launch murderous attacks on civilians, military personnel and tribesmen cooperating with the government.
The Jamrud blast was a major terrorist attack. The target was the Kukikhel tribe which had raised a lashkar to fight the militants. This was the third attack in a year in Jamrud, a settlement on the vital road used by trucks carrying NATO supplies. Like the ongoing attacks on tribal elders loyal to Pakistan, the purpose was to demoralise those who cooperate with the government. Four more terrorist attacks were conducted within twenty four hours of the Jamrud blast. Four anti-polio workers were killed in Karachi and one in Peshawar. In Lakki Marwat, dozens of insurgents stormed a security checkpost killing three soldiers, including an officer, and injuring three others. At an army recruitment centre on Nowshera-Mardan road, the terrorists on motorbikes hurled grenades injuring 11 including three security personnel. Coming as they do within two days of the attack on Peshawar airport, the incidents should be a matter of serious concern for those looking after the security of the country.
While the TTP accepted responsibility for the attack in Peshawar, the identification of foreigners among the dead indicates a pooling of resources by Al-Qaeda and the Pakistani Taliban. That they failed to perform the mission should not lead the security establishment to complacency. Had the militants managed to occupy the strategic airport in a provincial capital even for a few hours, they would have badly damaged the capacity of the Air Force and Army Aviation to launch attacks on the militants’ hideouts in remote tribal areas. What is more, this would have sent a highly negative message abroad about Pakistan government’s ability to secure its vital military assets. The militants, however, are likely to make similar bids of the sort again besides trying to extend their reach beyond KP.
What is required is for Pakistan, the US and Afghanistan to undertake joint military actions to wipe out the terrorists. This needs to be done urgently. If the militants manage to launch a devastating attack inside the US from Pakistan’s tribal areas, this might lead to a chain of events highly detrimental for Pakistan, the US and the region at large.
Instead of initiating a joint action , our government must focus from refraining US involvement in our country and whole region for the sake of Energy resources.The sole reason for the instability and militancy in our region is to gain control of Energy Resources .The west is ridiculising the Muslims all over the world for their vested interests.There is a need of nation building as violence is not the solution to the problem which we are facing .
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