Written by: Musawar Qureshi
The cycle of terrorism in Pakistan has been continuously ongoing for the past several years, resulting in the loss of thousands of lives so far, yet its complete eradication has not been achieved. Military operations remain underway in various regions. Terrorists mostly target ordinary citizens; while in some places, political and religious leaders, as well as police officers, are targeted, the general public suffers the greatest losses. In particular, various areas of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are constantly facing attacks, explosions, and ambushes on security forces. The attack on the train in Quetta has not only raised several questions about national security but has also made it clear that terrorists are now choosing targets where maximum casualties and panic can be inflicted.
A powerful explosion on the railway track near Chaman Phatak in Quetta resulted in the martyrdom of 18 individuals, including FC personnel, and left several others injured, among whom are women and children. The condition of many of the injured is reported to be critical, raising fears of an increase in the death toll. According to officials, at 8:00 AM on Sunday, as the shuttle train coming from Quetta Cantt Station reached near Chaman Gate, a powerful blast occurred on the track. As a result, three carriages, including the engine, derailed, and two overturned. One carriage was completely destroyed, while a fire broke out in several nearby vehicles. According to preliminary investigations, approximately 70 kilograms of explosive material was used in the blast. The intensity of the explosion shattered the windows of nearby buildings and damaged more than 20 vehicles.
The railway lines in Balochistan are long, arduous, and often pass through desolate areas; for this reason, terrorist organizations view the railway as a “soft target.” A single train carries hundreds of passengers, security personnel, and government employees at any given time. If the track is damaged or bombed, it not only results in the loss of precious lives but also challenges the writ of the state. Dozens of people were killed and injured in this Quetta attack. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for it. Prior to this, incidents like the Jaffer Express have proven that terrorist groups are now waging psychological warfare alongside conventional attacks to create an atmosphere of fear and mistrust.
Balochistan has been a victim of unrest, deprivation of rights, and political conflicts for decades. Certain separatist groups carry out armed activities against the state there. Regarding terrorism in Balochistan, officials state that India and Israel are involved. According to experts, several factors are at play behind this situation: a sense of political deprivation, conflicts over the distribution of resources, foreign interference, border issues, a sense of alienation among local youth, and extremist groups taking advantage of this environment to exploit young people for their own objectives.
After Balochistan, the second major battleground of terrorism is Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where a continuous increase in terrorist incidents is being observed, particularly in districts like Bannu, D.I. Khan, Lakki Marwat, Tank, and Karak. Attacks on police check posts, stations, and security forces’ convoys are becoming a routine occurrence. Following recent attacks in Bannu, the police have taken a firm stance, making it clear that terrorists will be defeated at all costs. In the southern districts, the police are no longer just a law enforcement agency but are fighting as a frontline force. Many personnel have laid down their lives in this path. In a video released by the Bannu Police, a young police officer openly challenges the terrorists, saying: “Terrorists! Get out of our areas, either terrorists will exist here or the police youth.” The young man further added: “If you kill two of our police officers, we will kill 20 of your people in return.”
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police has played a vital role in the war against terrorism in recent years. The Inspector General (IG) of Police is providing frontline personnel with modern weapons, bulletproof vehicles, protective vests, thermal cameras, and advanced surveillance equipment. In Peshawar, joint meetings between peace committees and the police are also emphasizing the reinforcement of security, monitoring of suspicious individuals, registration of tenants, and activation of the community intelligence system.
Now the question arises: why is all of this happening? This is a question that occupies the mind of every Pakistani today. Security agencies hold various armed groups like the TTP and Baloch separatist organizations responsible, while some circles also mention the interference of foreign countries. The reality is that terrorism is not merely a war fought with guns; it is a combination of political, economic, ideological, and regional complexities. Instability in Afghanistan, border vulnerabilities, internal political uncertainty, poverty, unemployment, and the narrative of extremism make this issue even more dangerous.
According to experts, military operations alone will not be enough. For the permanent eradication of terrorism, the following steps are necessary:
Strengthening the surveillance system at the borders, modernizing the intelligence network, providing education and employment opportunities to the youth, bringing political stability to the country, completing development projects in affected areas, and taking strict action against the facilitators and supporters of terrorists.
Pakistan is currently facing a major internal security challenge. Whether it is the train in Quetta or the police check post in Bannu, every attack is not just on a few individuals but on the peace of the entire country. The need of the hour is for the political leadership, security institutions, media, and the public to unite against extremism, because until the root causes of terrorism are eliminated, the dream of peace will remain unfulfilled.
