Pakistan: Killers deserve a matching response

Notwithstanding, Taliban denied responsibility for the blast, the terror strike, at homeless, hapless and the displaced people living in Jalozai Camp, resulted in worst genocide of 17 persons including women and children. Unfathomed sadness is: the inhuman and cruel striker detonated a bomb packed with 35 kilograms of explosives and hundreds of mortar bombs & grenades by a timer near scores of starved people queued for rations. Thereafter, the survivors of the Jalozai Camp were left to witness horrific scenes of devastation with pieces of human flesh and blood littered on the ground next to discarded toys, sandals and twisted metal amidst blazing fire and sky-rising thick black smoke. Bodies lying in a pool of blood, small pieces of human limps spread all around and the people with amputated legs and arms crying in pain were left for bereaved IDPs to recollect and weep over, cursing the terrorists during rest of their lives. Apathy of the civil disaster management was again exposed when refugees from the surrounding tents rescue the wounded, and the political administration once again found wanting of preparedness to meet any eventuality. The act deserves the worst and strong condemnation, and is, indeed, a slap on the face of all those who had done nothing but are engaged in lip-service. It is a slap on face on those who advocated for holding peace talks with these barbaric killers. Alas! The recent act of savagery is neither first nor the last. On Thursday, IDPs were given bloodbath, and on Friday, an explosion near a crowded intersection in Dera Allahyar in Jaffarabad district killed eight persons including two children and injured at least 32 others. Virtually, terrorists have outwitted the civil administration, law enforcing agencies, intelligence agencies and above all Pakistan army. Every time the Army chief goes to press with a resolve to take terrorists head-on. Terrorists strike back mocking the resolve with action. Now the question arises; does Pakistan have answer to repeated acts of carnage unleashed by terrorists. Simple answer is 'no'. The outgoing government miserably failed to cope with terrorists. Most of its functionaries including talkative Rehman Malik were confined to press statements for five years. Now the frequent strikes in every nook and corner of the country and fearsome advances in Tirah, Bur Qamberkhel and its adjoining areas warrant special effort on the part of army to really stand up to uproot the terrorism from the country. The politicians in the Center or the provinces are burning midnight oil to grab the power before and after the election, notwithstanding pain, agony and cries of people falling victim to terrorists. The most worrisome point to ponder is; under the given terrorist reign, can the nation go to polls without facing a huge disaster? Yes! Why not? The task is difficult but not impossible provided the police, across the country that has already faced terrorism in its worst form, stop witch-hunting of innocent citizens in streets for minting money, the intelligence agencies drop lay-back attitude and the Pakistan Army, which had already revised its doctrine, unleashes a matching response to ruthless terrorism. The President Zardari-led PPP government is now part of history that will be remembered for its inability and failure to live up to challenges facing the country. The caretaker setup-no matter who heads-will be pitched against barbaric, inhuman and grossly misled extremists. It has to take terrorism upfront without being driven into any illusion that any peace initiative with terrorists can bear fruit. Now the political parties, particularly ANP and JUI-F, must realize that misled efforts for peace process with the TTP have just proved counter-productive. The TTP has withdrawn their offer for talks after making serious inroads in Khyber Agency especially the Tirah Valley. The political parties must learn a lesson from the outcome of their All Parties Conferences. Political leadership across the country should stand firmly behind the armed forces to wipe out terrorism-be it is based on religion, race or ethnicity. There is no other way around. The merchants or perpetuators of the deaths should be shown the door. Today, the terrorists did not spared worn and torn residents of Tirah who fleeced their homes bare-footed to seek refuge in Jalozai Camp. There must not be any doubt whatsoever that the terrorists can repeat the same any time anywhere if not given matching response.