Tragedy saved
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
The News Inernational, Pakistan
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
A potentially explosive hostage situation has been averted through the prompt action of security forces. Had they not acted, engaging militants in a fierce gun-battle after talks failed, 71 students and nine staff members of the army-run Razmak cadet college in North Waziristan would have been whisked away to a secret location. Their fate would then have lain in the hands of ruthless savages who we all know have no humanity in them that can prevent them from inflicting the most horrible of crimes on those they kidnap, and it makes little difference to them even if their victims are young, innocent students. The possibility of tragedy, then, would have clouded the air, perhaps for days. The prompt army action to rescue the hostages must be commended. The fact that the militants were able to abduct 80 people, travelling from the college to Bannu after the institution closed for the summer break, shows that their capacity remains intact. Indeed, it is being reported that the militants from Swat, Dir and other places have been fleeing into Waziristan and assembling there. Their audacious act of abduction shows they are eager to fight on and will resort to all available means to do so. It is however encouraging that unlike the past, the military backed by the Frontier Corps acted decisively and swiftly, blocking of routes and intercepting the kidnapped students. Pakistan's army, which has already gained the status of heroes in the eyes of citizens, has further consolidated this position in the public mind.
But there are also lessons to be learned in what has happened. In Waziristan at least the militants remain largely untouched, their networks apparently intact. If there is to be success in the final goal of wiping out militancy – which after all is the raison d'etre of the battle we are seeing now, the operation must be extended fully and forcefully into the inhospitable stretches of Waziristan. There have been indications of a plan to begin the operation in Waziristan very soon. Preparations for this are already on. There must be no change in this resolve. Indeed the final struggle will need to be coordinated with Kabul, given the routes that lie across the border. The most recent terrorist outrage, targeting students who were in many cases mere children, underscores why this war must be won. Only when the last stretches of territory too have been conquered will we feel safer and more secure.
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Labels: Extremism, Kidnapping, Militancy, Razmak Cadet College, Taliban, Terrorism
posted @ 11:06 AM,
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