Unite to fight the demon
When terror visited Indonesia last week after a lull of seven years, a self-assured administration was badly shaken. The attack underscored the need for constant vigilance against the most blood-thirsty and at the same time most resilient and resourceful of all the terrorist networks. Despite being under constant hammering from Russian, American and French fighter planes, Da’ish continues to spread its tentacles across the globe. During the last few months it has launched attacks in Libya, Lebanon, France and Turkey. Nearer home it has left its footprint in Bangladesh. In Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province the network’s radio station “Voice of the Caliphate” broadcasts in Pashto spreading its message of violence in adjoining districts. Last week Da’ish targeted Pakistan’s consulate in Jalalabad. Later its Afghanistan branch attacked the ARY office in Islamabad. Early this month the Punjab law minister told media that about 100 volunteers had left Pakistan for Syria and Iraq to join Da’ish while 42 Da’ish supporters were arrested in Punjab. Days before a Da’ish terror cell was busted by the province’s Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in Sialkot. In Lahore a number of women were reported to have recently travelled to Syria to join the network.
India has so far remained immune from Da’ish attacks. Several Indians have however been nabbed abroad for recruiting for Da’ish or trying to join the terrorist group. Last month, three people in India were arrested by Maharashtra’s Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) while attempting to join the outfit. The network’s flags have also appeared in Indian controlled Kashmir. A realisation is growing in India that individual efforts by countries cannot meet the challenge posed by Da’ish and time has come when countries should set aside their differences and unite to fight the demons. The recent willingness shown by New Delhi to improve ties with Pakistan is indicative of the thinking. While individually each country has its own specific mechanisms to fight terror which it needs to strengthen, the Da’ish threat would require much more coordination on a regional level.
