The hijacking of a passenger train in Balochistan by terrorists on Tuesday and their audacity to keep hold of it into the next day warrant some deep introspection. The outlawed BLA took over Jaffar Express near the Mashkaf Tunnel in Bolan District. The train incidentally was carrying some servicemen and their family members among over 400 passengers. The brazen act of terrorism – that kept the nation on tenterhooks for as long as a day and a half – is clearly meant to internationalise the conflict in Balochistan.
In their initial response to the well-choreographed terrorist action, the military in full gear had flown sorties and drones to circumvent the volatility, and to overpower the terrorists. The fact that the passengers were held as human shields went to benefit of the terror outfit, posing a challenge as armed forces combed in closer to their targets. Launching a decisive operation around dusk on day two, security forces – from Army, Air Force, SSG and FC – eliminated all 33 terrorists and rescued all 190 hostages unharmed.
Unfortunately though, before the security forces action, 21 passengers had already lost their lives to the terrorists’ lust for wanton violence. Four FC personnel, deployed on the tracks, were also martyred.
Full marks to the armed forces for thwarting, yet again, the nefarious designs of the merchants of death who are out to bleed the country. However, the tragic happening invites some brainstorming. The need of the hour is to reach out to reconcilable elements and usher in a thaw. Popular politics has gone for a toss, and the pick-and-choose module has led to decay. The thrust on kinetic operations in the reclusive region has bred discontent and disillusionment, which hostile agencies are using to feed the spiral of sickening violence in their attempt to weaken Pakistan for their geopolitical interests.
Having said that, it is common knowledge that locals are sceptical, and repulsive, to the system in vogue in the resource-rich but impoverished province. Big-ticket projects, such as CPEC, have made little impact, and are in the eye of the storm as terrorists have regrouped and are gaining currency. The way out is to pursue a lasting political solution through a grand dialogue for redressal of grievances, which will isolate the irreconcilables and blunt their political and ideological narrative.
#Mashkaf #moment
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