By: Musawir Qureshi
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has once again been gripped by a wave of terrorism. In a recent attack by terrorists on a Federal Constabulary (FC) check post in the Musa Darra area of Peshawar’s tribal sub-division Hassan Khel, six personnel were martyred and several others injured. Although official sources claimed that the security forces repelled the attack and eliminated eight terrorists, the abduction of some personnel and the subsequent emergence of their videos on social media have raised several troubling questions. In these videos, the signs of torture are visibly apparent on the faces of the abducted personnel.
On the other hand, drone attacks on the Gurguri police station and oil and gas installations in the Karak district have spread fear and panic across the region. While authorities state that no major loss of life or property occurred, the incident highlights a grim reality: terrorist groups are continuously evolving their strategies and modes of operation.
The question arises: where do these terrorists come from? Where do they acquire advanced weaponry, drones, and such a highly organized network? Above all, despite the military and security operations that have been ongoing for the past several years, why has terrorism not been completely eradicated?
Pakistan has made immense sacrifices in the war against terrorism. Large-scale operations were conducted across the tribal districts, North and South Waziristan, Khyber, Kurram, Bajaur, Mohmand, and other regions. Thousands of terrorists were killed or apprehended, their sanctuaries were destroyed, and claims of restoring state writ were repeatedly made. Yet, despite all these efforts, the failure to completely eliminate terrorism remains a monumental question mark.
It is an undeniable fact that terrorism is not merely a military issue; it is a complex challenge deeply intertwined with political, social, economic, and international factors. Until border surveillance, the intelligence apparatus, local governance, employment opportunities, and public trust are strengthened, military actions alone cannot guarantee lasting peace.
Furthermore, the trend of escalating terrorist attacks during Muharram-ul-Haram or other sensitive occasions is deeply concerning. Terrorist elements systematically attempt to incite sectarian tensions, spread panic, and exert pressure on state institutions. Consequently, security is placed on high alert every year during these periods, yet a security breach or incident inevitably occurs somewhere.
Looking at the overall situation of the country, Balochistan, alongside Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, remains severely affected by terrorism. Incidents involving the abduction and target killing of passengers, laborers, government officials, and ordinary citizens surface periodically. Various banned outfits routinely claim responsibility for these attacks, making it evident that terrorist networks remain highly active.
The public is left wondering: why are these operations being conducted, and how will their outcomes be translated into permanent peace? If the same militant elements resurface in an area after a security operation, it simply implies that the root causes of the problem remain unaddressed.
The citizens now want to know when the lives of their children, their homes, markets, mosques, Imambargahs, and security personnel will finally be safe. They ask how long they must continue to bury their loved ones and how long terrorists will succeed in maintaining this climate of fear.
A gun alone is not enough to eradicate terrorism; a comprehensive national strategy is imperative. This strategy must encompass effective border management, a robust intelligence system, political stability, economic development, employment opportunities for the youth, winning the trust of the local population, and proactive regional diplomacy.
The Pakistani nation has achieved significant victories and rendered unparalleled sacrifices in the war on terror in the past. Today, the same resolve is required, but it must be coupled with policies that can transform temporary gains into enduring peace. Until the root causes of terrorism and its facilitators are completely eliminated, this threat will continue to rear its head in various forms.
The fundamental demand of the people of Pakistan is singular: peace, security, and a future where children’s education, youth employment, and the life of an ordinary citizen are free from the shadow of terrorism. This is an objective that requires the state, political leadership, security institutions, and all segments of society to unite and play their due role.
For the effective eradication of terrorism, its absolute prevention is necessary. First and foremost, those elements and facilitators who aid terrorists directly or indirectly must be eliminated. Following this, coordinated measures must be taken to uproot the entire terrorist network. Concurrently, the country’s policy-making institutions must review their strategies and rectify any flaws or weaknesses, ensuring an effective deterrence against such threats in the future.
