Another brave son of the soil, SP Ijaz Khan embraced Shahadat during an Intelligence Based Operation (IBO) against terrorists in the Katlong area of Mardan. According to the details, the encounter erupted as Law Enforcement Agencies engaged in a fierce exchange of fire with terrorists, leading to the martyrdom of a Valliant Police Officer and injuries to three Police officials. A fierce battle between the outlawed terror outfits and KP Security Forces has continued over the past months after the banned Tahreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) called off its ceasefire in November 2022. The security forces are haunting down the terrorist groups in Erstwhile FATA and settled districts adjacent to the Pak-Afghan border. The banned outfits are on the run and trying to regain their foothold by continuous attacks against the LEAs and Police. The nationwide death tally reached over 400 including security personnel when it comes to terrorist activities across the country in the last year. The Law Enforcement Agencies were carrying out intelligence-based operations against the militants to eliminate the scourge of terrorism from the province and the Country as well.
The recent upsurge in terrorism and loss of precious lives has not only rocked the entire nation but also dispelled an unbeatable national resolve to eliminate the menace of terrorism from society. Realistically, the state and people of Pakistan have always paid a heavy price for the wrong and irrational decisions of its civilian and military leaders throughout the past that led the nation to the current economic default and meek security situation in the country. Pakistan’s participation in the Central Treaty Organization (CENTO) and Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) was the beginning of this peril while Zia-ul-Haq’s involvement in Afghan jihad and Musharraf’s alliance in the US-led war on terrorism were crucial decisions in making up for this catastrophe in the country.
In 2024, Pakistan continues to grapple with the persistent menace of terrorism. The toll on human lives remains tragically high, and the country faces the grim reality of ongoing violence. Historically, the recent wave of terrorism in the country is not solely attributed to external factors. A deep-rooted ideological problem, Communal thinking, and exclusionary mindsets have contributed to the perpetuation of violence in society. Addressing religious extremism remains crucial for curbing terrorism within Pakistan. Pakistani strategists ignored two important factors during their decades-long machismo against terrorism. First, they failed to fully implement the National Action Plan (NAP) against Terrorism in the post-APS tragedy later they reconciled with the terrorist groups without considering the deep-rooted ideological conflict and agenda of the militant leaders who wanted to constitute a Khilafat in Pakistan’s tribal area in pursuance of their long-held agenda behind violence and terrorism.
Pakistan’s fight against terrorism is a tough and long-term endeavor, whilst, consistent efforts, sustained political will, and public support are essential to overcome that scourge. The development of targeted programs to counter radicalization and promote moderate interpretations of religion will also contribute significantly to that end. The country needs a comprehensive approach that combines military action, intelligence sharing, community engagement, economic development, and legal reforms to effectively combat terrorism in the country. Unfortunately, all successive governments put off this essential task to their successors while the catastrophe multiplied over the years and reached an almost irreversible peak. Therefore, the incumbent government must initiate full-fledged counter-terrorism and counter-extremism campaigns across the country so these perils can be eliminated from our soil once and for all.
