PESHAWAR: Once again Friday brought grief and misery to the residents of the city as the terrorists chose the holy day to spread terror and fear through a car bombing in the posh Hayatabad town.
Muslims consider Friday a holy and blessed day, which is evident from sayings of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him). On the other hand, terrorists might be using it as a psychological tactic to persuade young suicide bombers to lay down their lives for a “noble” cause on a holy day.
The blast at the Swan Restaurant in Hayatabad was the third consecutive terrorist attack carried out on Friday. No death was reported in the incident but 15 people sustained injuries. On the previous Friday on October 16, a suicide bomber attacked the office of Special Investigation Unit of police near Swati Phatak in Peshawar Cantonment killing 15 people, including three policemen and a minor.
October 9 was another fateful Friday for Peshawarites when an explosives-laden car was blown up at the busy Soekarno Chowk killing 55 people and injuring more than 150. The Friday factor has added to public fears as on Thursday people in the streets were talking about another possible attack the next day. Thin presence in mosques for Friday prayers was witnessed as most of the people remained confined to their homes and offered their prayers at home.
A sense of fear, uncertainty and insecurity could be observed among the residents of the city. Their normal life has changed, compelling people to change their routine. Movement of people has become limited, bazaars are often deserted and people avoid leaving homes unless they have an unavoidable engagement.
The launch of the military operation ‘Rah-e-Nijat’ in South Waziristan Agency against the militants affiliated to the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) a week ago has prompted the terrorists to launch suicide bombings and other attacks across the country, particularly in the NWFP and Punjab.
In the recent past, the government had claimed that it had broken the back of the terrorists who were on the run. The militants have, however, started striking back and showed that they are still capable of hitting back wherever they want despite all the security measures taken by the government agencies.
The terror acts have increased manifold across the country in general and in the province in particular in one month. Very thin presence of people is witnessed in the main shopping hubs of the city, including Qissa Khwani Bazaar, Khyber Bazaar, Namak Mandi, Chowk Yadgar, Hashtnagri, Saddar and University Road for the last few days.
Besides, because of barricades erected at entry points of the city as well as at all important places in the city and cantonment area, Peshawar gives a look of a besieged town.
Though the strict security measures are necessary to avert any terror act, the barricades have added to the miseries of the people as long queues of vehicles could be seen at almost every checkpoint, which could also prove an attractive target for the terrorists. The security personnel should avoid possibility of rush at entry points to avert any sabotage activity.
Dull days and disturbing nights have affected the life of the people and security threats keep them on their toes. No gatherings, partying or other enjoyment could be seen in the city. “People have lost the spirit to enjoy and laugh and even work. Stress and anxiety is visible from people’s faces,” said Ahmad Zeb, a doctor working at a government-run hospital.
No comments:
Post a Comment