A new spate of terrorist violence is emerging in the country. Evil mongers let loose all hell on the passengers of a bus in Quetta only a week after the Taunsa attack. Innocent citizens, mostly daily-wage labourers, became the victims of merciless terrorists. Eleven people were killed and more than 22 sustained critical injuries when a 4-5 kilogramme planted bomb ripped through the bus in Saryab Town area of the provincial capital. Quetta has long been a victim of terrorism and the incidents of target killing of the Hazara community are still fresh in memory. Militant groups have long targeted Shia pilgrims in Balochistan travelling to and from Iran. So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the latest blast. However, certain facts help narrow down the identification of the possible perpetrators of this heinous crime. As the victims were mostly ordinary citizens, there are few chances of the involvement of Baloch nationalist insurgents in the attack. Neither does the attack bear any resemblance to the acts of sectarian killings. This perhaps means elements are involved in the attack whose sole aim is to spread terror and create anarchy.
Though Operation Zarb-e-Azb has caused a considerable reduction in terrorist activities and controlled militancy to some extent, yet it does not mean that all terrorists have been wiped out and militancy has been completely eliminated. Rather, they have started carrying out scattered attacks in small towns instead of targeting big cities where the deployment of security forces has increased. It is a pattern of militancy all over the world that militants remain hidden and strike whenever they find an opportunity. This new developing trend of terror has put a question mark on the working of the security agencies. The government need not be complacent as we are still facing a war-like situation because of terrorism. The only methodology to nip terror in the bud is pre-emptive strikes. The security agencies need to make coordinated efforts at all levels to eliminate this latest scourge of terrorism. Although it is not possible to guard every place, yet our forces need to be extra vigilant to thwart any act of terror. In order to pre-empt terrorist activities, coordinated efforts are needed among all concerned departments and ministries. There is a need for a centralised system to coordinate and implement plans to curb militancy all over the country. The federal and provincial governments are working autonomously to deter terrorist activities. But a forum must be established at the Centre to supervise and monitor all operations against terrorists. Unless there are coordinated efforts and data sharing, the war against terrorism cannot succeed. An organistion at the federal level must be activated with all necessary resources to coordinate all efforts against terrorism.
Terrorist attacks on the margins can derail and weaken the fabric of society. How can a terrorist or evil monger orchestrate violence in society if vigilant eyes are there and every authority is efficiently disposing of its respective duty? Unless we unite against the menace of terror, there will be no end to such activities and the country will continue to mourn the deaths of its innocent citizens. It is high time that the federal government should intervene and bring the concerned departments and security agencies together against all terrorist groups. A more vibrant centralised force is needed to clamp down on the safe havens of the terrorists. Where is the National Action Plan? It should be implemented in letter and spirit. The prime minister has reiterated his resolve to wipe out terrorism at all costs. But only passing resolutions and condemnation will not work unless some critical practical steps are taken. In order to root out terrorism, coordination amongst the provincial and federal levels is necessary. We are fighting against terrorism and we need to keep fighting until the last terrorist is eliminated.
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