It is action that is urgently required
The sectarian terrorists have launched two major attacks in Quetta since the present dispensation was installed in office in the first week of June. In the earlier incident, the killers targeted a bus carrying women students and a hospital with a combined death toll of at least 25, including the city’s deputy commissioner and four FC personnel. In the latter incident, a bomb blast outside an imam bargah killed another 30. The incidents shook the newly elected provincial government and raised the question whether the federal government had control over the security agencies. In case there is no end to bloodshed, the doubts about the ability of the state to provide security of life to the people of Balochistan would be strengthened, adding further to the alienation among the people. The responsibility for both the attacks has been claimed by LeJ. What stops the law enforcement agencies to pursue the killers? Is there any secret red line the agencies are reluctant to cross?
On Tuesday, Mian Nawaz Sharif accompanied by top intelligence officials made his first visit to Quetta after assuming the office of the prime minister. He directed the IB and ISI to make an example of the Hazara town bombing perpetrators. The prime minister called it a test case for the country’s premier intelligence agencies. He declared that terrorism was unacceptable and his directives to eradicate it had to be carried out. He also reiterated that wiping out terrorism is the first priority of the government. Brave words, but what the Hazaras in particular and the Baloch in general want is action that puts an end to the genocide, forced disappearances and dumping of dead bodies. The previous government which suffered all these ignominies was by no means short on words. President Asif Ali Zardari apologised to the people of Balochistan for the injustices and solemnly promised to rectify these. Former Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani visited the province several times. He also announced the grandiose Aghaz-e-Tahuffuz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochisan package containing several proposals that were never implemented. Earlier this year when the sectarian terrorists killed over 80 Hazara Shias, the former Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf visited Quetta. Later, in a strongly worded statement, he directed the security forces to initiate targeted operations against those responsible for the bloodshed. The sound and fury was soon to end in a whimper.
A number of actions against minor operators have been conducted by the police and FC. Several honest security officials have been targeted by the terrorists in retaliation. But the experience tells us that taking out the terrorist foot soldiers only brings a temporary respite to attacks. Unless the high command of the sectarian militants is taken out, major terrorist attacks taking toll of dozens of innocent lives would continue to take place. Balochistan is a test case not only for the security agencies but also for the PML-N government at the centre.
