Published: 12:54 AM, 24 June 2026
No Respite from Terror!
Pakistan reeled under a severe terror attack ahead of this year’s Eid-ul-Adha, when a suicide bombing in Quetta left many dead at a time when others were to celebrate the bonds of faith and family for the pious Muslim festival. According to official figures, more than a dozen lives were lost and at least 20 people were left grievously injured. Later reports, however, put the toll much higher. Many maimed bodies of women and children were seen being ferried from the terror site on stretchers. Officials and hospital sources later stated that the victims were mainly passengers of the ill-fated shuttle train, on their way to board the Peshawar-bound Jaffar Express, as well as pedestrians and residents living along the railway track where the bombing took place. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed the attack, cementing its credentials as a terrorist outfit. BLA continues to hit with fury and its targets are both, the military and the civilians. It would appear from its modus operandi that all is not well in the province of Baluchistan which occasionally displays its anger, manifested through such deadly terror attacks.
Significantly, the fact that terrorists were once again able to target rail travellers is of particular concern to Pakistan's security establishment. It seems that the Jaffar Express, which connects the provinces of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and passes through Sindh and Punjab provinces, has become a symbolic target for the terrorists. This seems to be a major problem for those responsible for ensuring the security of both the citizens and the infrastructure of the province. The authorities, according to law enforcing agencies, must devise an actionable plan to address this menace as it appears to be spiralling out of hands.
Meanwhile, according to Pakistan security analysts, it is also deeply regrettable that actors claiming to represent Baluch interests have made a legitimate target of what are otherwise unarmed civilians. No ideology can justify the murder of innocents, and there must be zero tolerance for such hateful elements. The state must receive all the support it requires to take action and neutralize these perpetrators of terror. That said by the experts, there must also be some reflection on why Balochistan continues to slip out of the hands of those tasked with its effective administration and efficient governance. The state keeps reiterating the role of hostile foreign actors in fomenting unrest yet seems to be short on ideas on how to prevent the inroads of such actors and their ideologies adversely affecting the Baluch society? The sense of alienation within the Baloch people, which allows these “foreign” forces to feed on the locals’ dissatisfaction and disillusionment, is rarely addressed as per the assessment of the security professionals. Objectively, it has always been an illogical stand on part of Pakistan's security outfits to blame the terror linked happenings very conveniently on foreign actors perhaps insinuating its eastern neighbour.
In the meantime, political thinkers in Pakistan also reckon that the people of Balochistan must be empowered and in turn, also be responsible for peace and stability within their society. But this can only happen if the province is allowed to experience an unhindered and relatively clean political process. Lastly, the centre, according to the thinkers, has made a mistake by pushing away Baluch leaders who may have harboured grievances but still respected the Constitution and denounced violence. It is time to re-engage with them and let them propose solutions for the province’s multiple troubles. This prescription needs to be heeded by the authorities in Pakistan to contain the alarming growth of terror.
Earlier, reacting immediately on the previous strikes of terror attacks, which happened in the month of May only, Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir asserted (May 19) that “propaganda, fake news or externally-sponsored terrorism” could not derail Pakistan’s progress. Interestingly, this has been his hallmark on part of CDF Munir for such off the cuff comments after each terror attack. Munir made the remarks while interacting with officers and troops of formations deployed in Balochistan during his recent visit to Quetta, according to the military’s media affairs wing. Highlighting the contours of the prevailing security environment, the military chief further reaffirmed that the armed forces, with the “steadfast support of the people, remain fully committed to the eradication of terrorism in its forms and manifestations. His remarks are more like a politician rather than a professional soldier. And, he keeps repeating such outbursts chiefly pointing out to Pakistan’s arch enemy in order to garner sympathy and create a sense of frenzy and hatred for a peaceful neighbour.
Further, stressing the importance of sustainable peace and stability in Balochistan, the Field Marshal also highlighted that long-term progress depends upon a people-centric approach, inclusive development and improved governance alongside security efforts. He also appreciated the ongoing efforts of the Balochistan government, noting it was “focused on public welfare, socio-economic uplift and strengthening the bond between the state and the people of the province” while appreciating and claimed the high morale, operational readiness and professional commitment of officers and troops in maintaining peace, stability and the writ of the state in Balochistan. During his visit, CDF Munir addressed the student officers and faculty members at the Command and Staff College in Quetta.
Also, the high-profile Pakistani military chief highlighted the “rapidly transforming character of modern warfare and stressed the importance of remaining abreast with emerging technologies, multi-domain operations, tri-services synergy and future battlefield challenges”. He advised the officers to continuously orient themselves and their troops to effectively respond to the changing character of war while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, preparedness and operational excellence. He listed several steps that have been taken to further “harmonize” Pakistan’s armed forces with multi-domain operations.
It would appear from Munir’s monotonous remarks in the aftermath of every major terror attack that he only attempts to divert attention of the people and military from the core political and economic ills that Pakistan is plagued with. This does not seem to help as terror incidents continue to occur at regular intervals.
Shantanu Mukharji is a retired IPS officer
and former National Security
Advisor in Mauritius.
