No one should be surprised about the precision strikes on terrorist sanctuaries adjacent to Pak-Afghan border areas. The surge in cross-border terrorist attacks inside Pakistan on FC posts, military convoys and law enforcement agencies is too alarming to ignore.
The following factors have compelled Pakistan to hit the terrorist camps in border areas:
One; a growing number of casualties in cross-border terrorist attacks is becoming unbearable for Pakistan. Masterminds of these attacks are based in Afghanistan and are operating with full impunity.
The severity of losses can be gauged from a recent terrorist attack which led to the martyrdom of 17 FC personnel in South Waziristan.
Two; terrorist groups declared Fitna-al-Khwarij (FAK) by Pakistan are trying to rupture the writ of the state in erstwhile FATA.
In the past as well, multiple banned terrorist groups like Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (JUA) demanded the withdrawal of armed forces from recently merged areas of erstwhile FATA with KP province.
This vicious demand was a prelude to imposing a self-style Sharia system in terror-ridden border areas. Undeniably, the whole scheme was nothing but the gradual expansion of the Afghan Taliban’s ideology in Pakistan.
Three; the worsening security situation in Parachinar is closely linked to the cross-border terrorism originating from Afghanistan.
The toxic blend of unresolved tribal land disputes, sectarian rifts, unpleasant history of violence, meaningful exploitation from opportunist ethnic players and vicious involvement of Afghanistan-based hardcore religiously motivated terrorist groups pose multiple security challenges to the KP province.
Four; the negative role of foreign players in spoiling the regional peace matrix is a clear and present danger. Pakistan has repeatedly pointed out the Indian hand behind the active presence of banned TTP on Afghan soil. Terrorist attacks launched on Chinese nationals were designed to sabotage the Pak-China strategic partnership.
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Dark shadows of cross-border terrorism are spread from KP to Balochistan with the obvious aim of disrupting the internal stability, economic growth and progress on CPEC-related projects.
Five; The cold shoulder rather non-cooperative response of the Interim Afghan Government (IAG) on genuine security concerns of Islamabad is a key factor which pushed Pakistan towards desperate retaliatory strikes on terrorist sanctuaries in border areas.
Post strikes response from IAG, banned TTP, Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) and dubious social media accounts including familiar Indian RAW mouthpieces reflect meaningful similarities.
While disregarding the huge losses suffered by Pakistan amid cross-border terrorist attacks, above mentioned critics joined the chorus to accuse Islamabad of targeting the civilians. Strangely, it was propagated that the strikes targeted the Pakistani refugees in Afghanistan.
Absurdity of acquisition is evident from the fact that as a matter of routine Afghan citizens seek refuge in Pakistan due to persistent unrest and an unfavourable environment under IAG rule. No sensible peaceful Pakistani citizen would opt for Afghanistan as a refuge destination except the hardcore terrorists of banned TTP.
The unelected regime of IAG should reconsider the infamous stance on regional peace with a focus on the following relevant aspects:
One; the presence of banned terrorist groups in Afghanistan is interpreted by the international community as a sign of their obvious like-mindedness with IAG aka Afghan Taliban.
Two; IAG should consider Pakistan’s sincere proposals seriously and act responsibly to tackle the menace of terrorism as a shared threat.
Three; an intriguing combination of Al-Qaeda (AQ) ISKP and banned TTP with its numerous factions possess significant potential to dislodge the existing rule of IAG. The vulnerability of IAG increases manifolds amid its unelected and internationally unrecognized status.
Four; preferring banned terrorist groups over reliable neighbor like Pakistan may prove a fatal choice for IAG and the common masses of Afghanistan.
Despite serious reservations; Pakistan has always extended support to Kabul in terms of humanitarian aid, diplomatic advocacy to ease the international isolation, refugee hosting, student scholarships, routine trade and people-to-people contacts. Soft corner of IAG for anti-Pakistan groups may deprive Kabul of the much-needed support of Islamabad.
