Bannu again

Despite kinetic efforts and political persuasion, disgruntled elements remain undeterred

A heart-wrenching terror attack in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's Bannu district over the past weekend is a grim reminder that unscrupulous elements are alive. kicking. Fifteen policemen embraced martyrdom,. scores of others were injured, as terrorists rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the Fateh Khel check-post.

The blast was deafening as it was heard miles away, demolishing the superstructure of the police station. This unfortunately shows. – despite utmost thrust on kinetic efforts as well as focus on a parallel tier of political persuasion – the disgruntled elements are still undeterred. The situation warrants a collective policy review to come up with an apt strategy to address these fissures in totality.

Bannu has been in the eye of the storm primarily for its geographic location, as it sits at the crossroads of Lakki Marwat, North Waziristan. Karak. These are the porous points for men and material to move across the Pak-Afghan border.

Thus, Bannu has bled several times in the last few years, with authorities pledging to act against the culprits each time –. unfortunately in vain. K-P. Balochistan, the most vulnerable to internal and external revolts, have witnessed the highest number of terror strikes in recent times, in particular.

Of a total of 5,397 reported incidents last year, K-P recorded 3,811 and Balochistan 1,557. A total of 2,597 terrorists were also killed during the year as security forces exhibited utmost valour to flush out these elements through hundreds of intelligence-based operations.

The good point, however, is that the faceless enemy is not unknown to the nation, as it stands exposed. The meddling from across the eastern and western borders is globally acknowledged, having been documented by the UN, too.

Moreover. the evolving regional situation is also taking a toll inside Pakistan as abettors are being influenced to destabilise the country. This calls for stepped-up efforts and more coordinated measures to exterminate this menace. No point in relying on rhetoric.

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