Terrorism consists of criminal activity. There is no single definition of terrorism, since it encompasses a range of activity, all designed to intimidate and instill fear. Having the moral charge in our vocabulary of ‘something morally wrong’, the term ‘terrorism’ is often being used, both by governments and non-state-groups, to abuse or denounce opposite groups. Each act of terrorism is a “performance” devised to affect many large audiences. Terrorists also attack national symbols, to show power and to attempt to shake the foundation of the country or society they are opposed to.
Simon Jenkins, The Guardian: The purpose of terrorism is not to destroy or kill. It is to pursue a political cause through the massive publicity that is attached to terrifying incidents. This explanation of the causes of terrorism may be difficult to swallow. It sounds too simple, or too theoretical. Criminal acts intended or calculated to provoke a state of terror in the public, a group of persons or particular persons for political purposes are in any circumstance unjustifiable, whatever the considerations of a political, philosophical, ideological, racial, ethnic, religious or any other nature that may be invoked to justify them.
Besides the injuries and deaths immediately brought about by terrorist attacks, survivors often suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and major depression, but it also suffers long-term effects from trauma to financial markets, a rise in spending on security and defense, and the impact on supply chains of enhanced security at land, sea and air border crossings.
Terrorism history of Pakistan had started in the decade of 1970 when the Soviet Union invaded in Afghanistan with the intent of this to get control over the hot water and expand his communist ideology, at that time Soviet Union not only wanted to capture the Afghanistan but also capture the Gulf countries which have oil rich resources.
Pakistan is the country that was established in the name of Islam, but now innocent people are being killed in Pakistan in terrorist activities in the name of religion. People are fed up with this everyday situation. At present the gravest problem that Pakistan is facing is terrorism. It has become a headache for federation and a nightmare for public. Though, it is a global issue but Pakistan has to bear the brunt of it. Undoubtedly, in our country, the victims of terror attacks and suicide bombings have been innocent men, women and children. Regrettably, those militant entities like TTP, which try to justify terrorism and suicide bombings in the name of Islam, are misguiding the people, as such brutal acts are clearly against the teachings of Islam. There are many terrorist attacks Pakistan has faced yet as most attacks occur in KPK, Sindh and Balochistan.
The attack occurred at the Army Public School in the Pakistani city of Peshawar, killed a total of 145 people which included 132 school children and 10 staff school members. The attack prompted a massive response both on local and international level. Pakistani reaction included both strong condemnations and promises of retaliation against the perpetrators. International reaction was swift and widespread, with many countries condemning the attack and expressing their condolences to the victims.
On 12 August 2017, a suicide bombing took place near a Pakistan army truck in Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan, leaving 15 people dead including 8 soldiers, while injuring 40 others. A suicide bomber riding on a explosives-rigged motorcycle blew himself up near an on-duty Pakistan army patrol truck which was passing through Pishin bus stop on the Khojak Road, Quetta in Pakistan’s southwestern province Balochistan. Since the suicide vest contained incendiary explosives, several nearby vehicles caught fire. The explosion was so loud that it was heard all across the city and windowpanes of nearby buildings were shattered by the impact of the blasts. According to the Director-General Civil Defense Aslam Tareen, the explosives were packed with ball bearings to inflict maximum casualties. At least 15 people including 8 Pakistan army soldiers were killed while 40 others were injured in the attack.
However all attempts of bringing the militants on table seemed to fail while terrorists attacks continued. In late 2013 therefore the political leadership in Pakistan gave a green signal to a military operation against terrorists which was named Operation Zarb-e-Azb. Operation Zarb-e-Azb is a joint military offensive being conducted by Pakistan Armed Forces against various militant groups, including the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Jundallah, al-Qaeda, the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) and the Haqqani network. The operation was launched by the Pakistan Armed Forces on 15 June 2014.
The operation has received widespread support from the Pakistani political, defense and civilian sectors. Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad is a code name of a combined efforts by the Pakistani military in support of local law enforcement agencies to deweaponized and eliminate the hidden terrorist sleeper cells across the country. The operation is aimed at eliminating the threat of terrorism. The operation will see active participation from Pakistan Air Force, Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Police and other Civil Armed Forces managed under the Ministry of Interior. InshAllah our country will be terrorists free very soon. Pakistan Zindabad
The writer is a teacher at Garrison Academy Junior Sarwar Shaheed Campus Lahore Cantt. She can be contacted at: komalia.shah6 @gmail.com