By Koustubh Tol
On 16th February 2017, a suicide bombing took place at a popular Sufi shrine in Pakistan killing more than 80 people and injuring many others. The horrific incident is an addition to the tally of numerous terrorist attacks that Pakistan has faced in the recent past. According to sources, the attacker entered the main hall of the Lal Shahbaz Qalandar shrine at a time when hundreds of devotees including children were worshipping with an aim of causing maximum casualties. The Islamic State Khorasan, ISIS’ affiliate in Afghanistan and Pakistan, has claimed responsibility for the attack.
[su_pullquote]With Pakistan already under tremendous pressure from numerous local terrorist organisations the military wing has no other option but to put an end to such terrorist outfits.[/su_pullquote]
Such recent attacks depict the successful penetration of ISIS in Pakistan, one of the most troubled South-Asian countries. With Pakistan being already under tremendous pressures from numerous local terrorist organisations such as the Pakistani Taliban, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, the military wing has no other option but to put an end to such terrorist outfits, which it claims, it is already in the process of doing.
The Pakistani crackdown
The Pakistani Army has been very active in the region around Waziristan against terrorism. | Image courtesy: Samaa TVSoon after the incident, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the attack vowing to eradicate the forces behind it. Pakistan’s army chief, General Bajwa, also made a bold statement saying, “Each drop of the nation’s blood shall be avenged, and avenged immediately. No more restraint for anyone.” As one of the first steps, Pakistan conducted several raids across the country. The army also summoned officials of the Afghan embassy accusing the country of harbouring militant extremist organisations to carry out terrorist attacks in Pakistan.
The international border between Pakistan and Afghanistan has been temporarily closed and many small-scale rockets have been fired towards Afghanistan.
Short-term goals and the military
Though the Pakistani militarys crackdown is appreciable, many question the longevity of the action. For starters, Pakistan itself is accused of state-sponsored terrorism. Moreover, it is not the first time that the military intensified its crackdown against terrorism. With a wave of anger gripping the nation, the military establishments aggression is a welcome step. Only time will discern the seriousness behind this crackdown.
Pakistan: A soft target for terrorism?
Since independence, Pakistan has had a very complicated political history. Though the central government is elected through a democratic process, many believe that the actual power lies in the military leadership. Owing to this, Pakistan has been more or less unsuccessful in creating a prosperous society. In fact, both India and Afghanistan blame Pakistani military establishment of using state-sponsored terrorism as a weapon against them. Whether it is true or not, having a snake in the backyard is always a problem. Though Pakistan has been accused internationally of harbouring terrorists and sponsoring their activities, it must be noted that the country is also one of the worst victims of terrorism.
[su_pullquote]Though Pakistan has been accused internationally of harbouring terrorists and sponsoring their activities, it must be noted that the country is also one of the worst victims of terrorism.[/su_pullquote]
In 2010, two suicide bombers blew themselves inside the Data Durbar Sufi Shrine killing almost 50 people. In November 2016, another Sufi Shrine was attacked in Baluchistan just three months after the brutal killing of Sufi singer Amjad Sabri. In 2014, around 140 children were massacred in a Peshawar military school, a tragedy that shook the world.
With numerous terrorist outfits already present the presence of ISIS may create new alliances which will make things even worse. On top of that, Pakistan is a nuclear-capable country. If the Pakistani government and the military leadership fail to take strict action, the situation will only worsen.
Pakistan must act and it must act now to ensure a peaceful future, not only for its own prosperity, but also for the good of South Asia.