Terror spectre
Security situation in Balochistan is getting precarious with each passing day. The uptick in terror attacks, especially on the armed forces, by the militant proxies at large is becoming a real challenge. The brave manner in which the army is taking on the faceless enemy is laudable. Over the last two days in Zhob, our soldiers have been able to exterminate as many as 47 terrorists trying to infiltrate the border from Afghanistan.
The pitched battles led to recovery of modern weapons from the non-state actors, testifying the meddling of Indian intelligence agencies and local abettors in this war of attrition. Moreover, the attack on the Quetta-bound Jaffar Express is apparently meant to deter the locals from commuting, and this is the second attack on the train after a day-long hijacking standoff months ago. The passenger coaches, however, luckily survived the planted bomb near Sibi station.
The authorities have already suspended the internet service in the province till the end of the month as mopping operations are underway. This marks a shift in kinetic strategy wherein the military brass is exhibiting zero-tolerance towards the terror nuisance, with a plan to take on the khawarij upfront. It is, however, some consolation that the BLA that operates in cahoots with Indian proxies has been declared a terror outfit by the US State Department the other day.
This should drive the attention of regional countries in buckling up Pakistan in fighting this menace, which has destabilised the restive provinces of Balochistan and K-P, impacting peace beyond the region. A comprehensive counter-terrorism operation coordinated by regional states, especially Iran and Afghanistan, is indispensable and the US input should serve as a catalyst to it.
Balochistan's terror mosaic, nonetheless, invites some introspection. The situation warrants chalking out a multipronged strategy with intelligentsia, political forces and local population on board. That would come to legitimise the spirit of fighting the unscrupulous elements, and talk it out with those who are receptive to logic and coexistence.
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