The TTP issuing threats

Govt ought to take the attack to terrorists

One has yet to receive any good news from North Waziristan which has turned into the epicenter of terrorism in Pakistan. Hakimullah Mehsud who had been responsible for mayhem all over the country was discovered by the American drones here and dispatched. The TTP commanders reportedly plan attacks all over the country from the Agency. A classified report presented before the Senate’s Foreign Affairs Committee has revealed that the TTP militants who killed 10 foreign climbers at a Nangaparbat base camp were trained in North Waziristan. The Pakistan army units stationed in the Agency have frequently suffered casualties in IED blasts and suicide attacks. On Monday seven suspected militants were blown up here while preparing an explosive-laden vehicle for a suicide mission. Next day two soldiers died in the suicide bombing of a military check-post. The Taliban spokesman Shahidullah Shahid, who is supposed to be holed up in NW, has claimed responsibility for the attack on the security forces in Bannu that killed two policemen and injured several. According to Shahid, suicide bombers have been sent to different parts of the country to target prominent government and military personalities.

In a statement that is little short of a declaration of war, the TTP has called off talks with the government. It is now preparing for an all-out offensive. Depending on IEDs and suicide bombings as weapons of choice, the TTP’s attack will have no surgical precision. With major politicians and top officials of the LEAs living in fortified houses and well protected work places, the militants will wait till their intended victims appears at public places. Every attack is thus sure to kill many more innocent people compared to the more accurate drone strikes. The government had bet everything on talks with the militants. It finds itself in cul-de-sac, and totally bereft of options.

Having secured themselves against terrorist attacks will the high and mighty allow the people to be killed like sitting ducks? It is imperative to improve the security by installing security cameras and explosives detectors and provide stun grenades to LEAs besides upgrading their performance. The security agencies however cannot be kept in a state of perpetual high alert. A more effective tactic would be to take the fight to the terrorist strongholds, be it North Waziristan or any other place and put them on the defensive. When the existence of the state is at stake, one must not hesitate from sacrificing assets meant for use in Afghanistan or elsewhere.