The war goes on
It had been a while since the bad guys took their terrorism to Kurram Agency, specifically its administrative headquarters, Parachinar. The attack, which killed 25 and injured more than 50 (some critically) came not just two days before the first anniversary of the Peshawar tragedy, but also one day after the army claimed having almost cleansed Shawal valley – a crucial insurgent stronghold. Yet the enemy was able to transport 35kg (at least) of explosives into one of the war’s most critical battlefields, one which also borders North Waziristan, where Zarb-e-Azb is principally targeted.
The security machinery will, rightly, say that Kurram borders three Afghan provinces, and highlights the cross-border security threat that the military, and the government, has cried hoarse about for so long. The operation can decimate the enemy’s command and control centre, uncover their sleeper cells littered across the tribal area, etc, but so long as there is a logistics chain across the border, such threats will be impossible to completely write off. That is why the prime minister’s recent negotiations with President Ghani were crucial. This is the proverbial make-or-break moment for both countries. And unless both help seal off the border, neither will be completely safe at home.
Significantly, LeJ took responsibility. That underscores, if anything, the need for the operation to now expand and become more intel-intensive, especially in the urban areas. There is a need to further coordinate various intelligence agencies, as mandated by NAP, to pick up timely chatter and disrupt terrorist operations in the planning stage. That will also help uncover more sleeper cells, the likes of which are regularly used in such attacks. Kurram has been the heart of tribal insurgency since the Soviet war. Its borders is called the Parrot’s Beak, since it provides an enclave deep into Afghan territory, which has facilitated infiltration in many wars. That it continues to be significant, and outfits housed far away are also operating there, means the war has some way to go before it is over.
