New Delhi, June 21 -- Pakistan reeled under a severe terror attack ahead of this year's Eid-ul-Adha, when a suicide bombing in Quetta left many dead at a time when others were preparing to celebrate the bonds of faith and family during the pious Muslim festival. According to official figures, more than a dozen lives were lost and at least 20 people were left grievously injured. Later reports, however, put the toll much higher. Many maimed bodies of women and children were seen being ferried from the terror site on stretchers. Officials and hospital sources later stated that the victims were mainly passengers of the ill-fated shuttle train on their way to board the Peshawar-bound Jaffar Express, as well as pedestrians and residents living along the railway track where the bombing took place. The Baluchistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack, cementing its credentials as a terrorist outfit. The BLA continues to strike with fury, and its targets include both the military and civilians. It would appear from its modus operandi that all is not well in the province of Baluchistan, which occasionally displays its anger, manifested through such deadly terror attacks.
Significantly, the fact that terrorists were once again able to target rail travellers is of particular concern to Pakistan's security establishment. It seems that the Jaffar Express, which connects the provinces of Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and passes through Sindh and Punjab provinces, has become a symbolic target for terrorists. This appears to be a major problem for those responsible for ensuring the security of both citizens and the infrastructure of the province. The authorities, according to law-enforcement agencies, must devise an actionable plan to address this menace, as it appears to be spiralling out of hand.
Meanwhile, according to Pakistan's security analysts, it is deeply regrettable that actors claiming to represent Baluch interests have made unarmed civilians legitimate targets. No ideology can justify the murder of innocents, and there must be zero tolerance for such hateful elements. The state must receive all the support it requires to take action and neutralise these perpetrators of terror. That said, according to experts, there must also be some reflection on why Baluchistan continues to slip out of the hands of those tasked with its effective administration and efficient governance. The state keeps reiterating the role of hostile foreign actors in fomenting unrest, yet seems short on ideas about how to prevent the inroads of such actors and their ideologies from adversely affecting Baluch society. The sense of alienation among the Baluch people, which allows these "foreign" forces to feed on local dissatisfaction and disillusionment, is rarely addressed, according to the assessment of security professionals. Objectively, it has always been an illogical stand on the part of Pakistan's security outfits to blame terror-linked incidents so conveniently on foreign actors, perhaps insinuating the involvement of its eastern neighbour.
In the meantime, political thinkers in Pakistan also reckon that the people of Baluchistan must be empowered and, in turn, be responsible for peace and stability within their society. But this can only happen if the province is allowed to experience an unhindered and relatively clean political process. Lastly, the Centre, according to these thinkers, has made a mistake by pushing away Baluch leaders who may have harboured grievances but still respected the Constitution and denounced violence. It is time to re-engage with them and allow them to propose solutions for the province's multiple troubles. This prescription needs to be heeded by the authorities in Pakistan to contain the alarming growth of terror.
Earlier, reacting immediately to previous terror attacks that occurred in the month of May, Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir asserted on May 19 that "propaganda, fake news or externally sponsored terrorism" could not derail Pakistan's progress. Interestingly, this has been characteristic of CDF Munir, who has often made such off-the-cuff remarks after each terror attack. Munir made the comments while interacting with officers and troops of formations deployed in Baluchistan during his recent visit to Quetta, according to the military's media affairs wing. Highlighting the contours of the prevailing security environment, the military chief further reaffirmed that the armed forces, with the "steadfast support of the people", remain fully committed to the eradication of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. His remarks sound more like those of a politician than a professional soldier. Moreover, he keeps repeating such outbursts, chiefly pointing to Pakistan's arch-enemy in order to garner sympathy and create a sense of frenzy and hatred towards a peaceful neighbour.
Further, stressing the importance of sustainable peace and stability in Baluchistan, the Field Marshal highlighted that long-term progress depends upon a people-centric approach, inclusive development and improved governance alongside security efforts. He also appreciated the ongoing efforts of the Baluchistan government, noting that it was "focused on public welfare, socio-economic uplift and strengthening the bond between the state and the people of the province". He appreciated and claimed that the high morale, operational readiness and professional commitment of officers and troops were helping maintain peace, stability and the writ of the state in Baluchistan. During his visit, CDF Munir addressed student officers and faculty members at the Command and Staff College in Quetta.
The high-profile Pakistani military chief also highlighted the "rapidly transforming character of modern warfare" and stressed the importance of remaining abreast of emerging technologies, multi-domain operations, tri-services synergy and future battlefield challenges. He advised officers to continuously orient themselves and their troops to respond effectively to the changing character of war while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, preparedness and operational excellence. He listed several steps that have been taken to further "harmonise" Pakistan's armed forces with multi-domain operations.
It would appear from Munir's monotonous remarks in the aftermath of every major terror attack that he is merely attempting to divert the attention of both the people and the military from the core political and economic ills that plague Pakistan. This approach does not seem to be helping, as terror incidents continue to occur at regular intervals.
Views expressed are personal. The writer is a retired IPS officer, Adviser NatStrat, and a former National Security Advisor in Mauritius
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.