Published: 12:00 AM, 06 October 2026
Recurrent Terror Outbursts in Pakistan Pose Regional Threats
Dr. Shantanu Mukharji
A deadly suicide attack (September 18) in Kohat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) bordering Pakistan and Afghanistan, claimed scores of lives including sixteen police officers and grievously wounded at least hundred. The lethal terror assault lasting several hours involving a car explosive, a suicide bombing and multiple armed attackers indicates the continued terror trend in Pakistan.
According to a report in the New York Times (NYT), an alliance led by powerful extremist leader, Hafiz Gul Bahadur, whose fighters once targeted U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, has claimed responsibility for this mosque assault inside a police compound in Pakistan. Badadur’s group is hugely suspected for its active links with notorious Al Qaeda. Gul Bahadur is one of the longest-surviving commanders, whom both U.S. and Pakistan forces have abysmally failed over the years to neutralize. His re-emergence could possibly mean spiraling violence in western Pakistan and further worsening of relations with Afghanistan. The attack highlights the Bahadur’s intricate network to execute “complex, serious attacks on security forces,” as per Elizabeth Threlkeld, director of the South Asia Program at the Washington-based Stimson Center.
It may also be stressed that the detonation of an explosives-laden vehicle outside the mosque began the assault of the compound on September 18 afternoon. Armed terrorists then entered the complex and batted security forces for hours; a suicide bomber even detonated explosives near a facility of the police’s intelligence unit. Police on its part claimed that eight attackers have been killed. It is also relevant to mention here that a UN report in August noted the group’s global linkages. Al Qaeda’s affiliate in the region had “formed the backbone” of Mr. Bahadur’s network, the report said.
In the aftermath of recent multiple terrorist incidents, Pakistan carried out an intelligence-based ground operation and airstrikes targeting terrorist safe havens in parts of KP, including in the border region with Afghanistan. Authorities described it as a well-planned intelligence-based ground operation out executed by the security forces around Kohat, Hangu and Thal, followed by calibrated air strikes against the hideouts and safe havens of terror organizations responsible for these attacks.
Pakistan security officials later claimed that their Counter-Terrorism campaign Ghazab Lil Haq under vision Azm-e-Istehkam would continue at full pace to exterminate the menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country. However, they did not clarify or elaborate what they meant by “foreign sponsored”.
Meanwhile, continuing its reaction against the deadly terror strike, Pakistan print media maintained its tirade. Prominent daily “Dawn” (September 20) in its editorial said that the attack in Kohat marks a further escalation by Pakistan’s enemies.
Further inputs, according to “Dawn” reveal that The Ittehadul Mujahideen, an umbrella organization of terrorist outfits, is according to the Jamestown Foundation think tank, believed to operate from safe havens across the border, share intelligence and coordinate attacks with its terrorist factions. It has apparently used drone technologies to effect while targeting security forces and installations in the past. As such, it is thought in some professional circles to be a more serious and sophisticated threat than the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Media also recommends that the KP police must be better equipped and trained. They are facing an enemy which is increasingly using modern technology to cause bloodshed. They must match the equipment, strategies and technologies they need to effectively limit and counter the constant, deadly threat they face. Simultaneously, the authorities need to review the approaches being taken to counter violent perpetrators. National policy on counterterrorism requires recalibration and revisiting, especially regarding its diplomatic, political and social aspects, which must be addressed together to secure stable dividends as per the media observations.
This fresh terror attack in Kohat reveals Pakistan’s inherent chinks in the armour. It is clear that its intelligence apparatus is rusted as no actionable intelligence was received by the authorities which could be centralized. This is of particular concern for the forces on ground as intelligence on Pakistan-Afghanistan border is very crucial. Besides, repeated terror attacks have now become a pattern in Pakistan. Targeting a mosque and the Police setups is more a routine than an exception. And that’s what is happening at regular intervals. There is also a complete lack of coordination and intelligence sharing with or from Pakistan’s “friendly countries” with them they are supposed to exchange vital intelligence of security concern. After all, this organization which claimed to have perpetrated the attack is believed to be linked to Al Qaeda. It the intelligence agencies are so complacent of a global threat like Al Qaeda than it is difficult to fathom their priorities. Due to continued indifference on part of Pakistan, the region is becoming increasingly volatile and vulnerable.
Pakistan perhaps has lost its focus on the most important issue of terrorism and has strayed into “mediating truce” or entering into defence pacts. Yet, both these endeavors have failed to pay any dividends. It is high time it pays attention to security on its borders with Afghanistan to thwart terror attacks and that too happening so frequently. It is a sad commentary on its policy of tackling terror even twenty-five years after 9/11, when Al Qaeda and the terrorists wreaked havoc.
Dr. Shantanu Mukharji is a
retired IPS officer and former
National Security Adviser
in Mauritius.
