Medina attack

Joint action needed

The attack outside the holy prophet’s mosque in Medina, the second most blessed place for the Muslims, came as a shock to the entire Muslim world. This was the third suicide attack in Saudi Arabia on Monday. Many suspect the involvement of IS in the terrorist attacks which conducted about thirty strikes in Saudi Arabia in 2005, with an average of an attack every twelve days. The attacks should make the Saudi government do some soul searching. It is widely understood that the Saudi government has, over the decades, exported an intolerant interpretation of Islam. More recently, it encouraged and financed terrorist organisations fighting in Iraq and Syria. To many the recent suicide attacks are an example of the chickens coming home to roost.

The IS, which is losing ground in Iraq and Syria and continues to surrender cities it had earlier occupied, is now trying to keep up the morale of its supporters by creating horror across the globe. During the last few days it has targeted Istanbul airport killing 41, Baghdad killing at least 157 and Dhaka killing at least 20. There is a need for joint efforts at the international level to deal with the threat. What is also needed is for the Shi’a and Sunni communities not to let their differences stand in the way of joint action against the IS.

Pakistan, which faces a grave threat from the terrorists despite Operation Zarb-e-Azb, has to implement the crucial measures decided two years back. There has to be a full implementation of the NAP, particularly its recommendations regarding the seminaries. Similarly the neglected task of changing the extremist mindset, especially of the youth, has to be taken up seriously. The NACTA, which was supposed to bring together civil and military intelligence agencies, has yet to be activated by holding the first meeting of its governing body presided over by the PM. Loopholes of the sort can be used by the IS to stage attacks in Pakistan to spread dismay and frustration.