Published: 12:20 AM, 28 October 2026
A Thriving Terror Syndicate in Pakistan!
Dr. Shantanu Mukharji
No sooner than the dust could settle down in the wake of the recent terror attacks in Pakistan happening in Kohat (September 18), which claimed 31 lives including 16 police officers and grievously wounding at least hundred, another suicide attack on the border of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan struck. This is a tragic reminder of a thriving terror syndicate in the two-terrorism stricken provinces. In this particular incident, more than 14 civilians were killed and 36 injured as an explosives-laden vehicle rammed (September 26) into Aman Mela police check post in Dera Ismail Khan’s Dariazinda tehsil. The modus operandi of terror this time was full of vendetta and fury as rescue personnel were also targeted and that too rather mercilessly. Two volunteers also lost their lives on duty as their ambulance was also ambushed. The incident was punched with heavy aerial firing in an apparent attempt to terrorize the local inhabitants.
Significantly, as already pointed out, the Dera attack came just days after the bleeding at Kohat that led to loss of several lives, indicating Pakistan’s growing loosening grip on the security of these terror infected provinces. To address this continued trend of terror menace, immediate measures required urgently plus a heightening vigilance and importantly beefing up of intelligence gathering and subsequent proactive action. Moving forward, achieving better coordination among the multiple law enforcement agencies particularly by empowering the police is also vital to posture Pakistan’s resolve against the perpetrators. Furthermore, aligning kinetic military operations with cohesive political responses seem indispensable if Pakistan wants to remain on the same page against these repeated lethal threats.
Further, assessing the changing pattern of these attacks is equally critical. The terror links are currently focusing on three distinct targets which are security personnel, police and the civilians. By attacking these groups, terrorists obviously aim to hurt Pakistan while trying to project a narrative of a state failure. Significantly, the anti-India government agencies maintained their well-designed allegations that a systematic pattern proves the violence is not driven by local grievances, but is rather a “foreign plot” to “weaken” the country. According to the Pakistani media, it is no secret that there are troublesome districts that harbour active sleeper cells linked with local abettors and related villains. According to Pakistani security experts, this warrants a foolproof domestic Counter Terrorism strategy combined with tactful but a muscular diplomacy to expose their international patrons is what is perceived by Pakistan’s security thinkers and the views are being openly endorsed by the Pakistan print and electronic media. Also, there is a wide sense of despair prevailing in Pakistan due to such repeated terror strikes.
This apart, interestingly, Pakistan is desperately trying to “boost” it’s international image by offering to broker peace deals or enter into defence pacts with like-minded nations based on religious affinity. However, its domestic scene continues to be abysmally dismal due to recurring terror strikes perpetrated at their sweet will and timing of the terrorists. Pakistan has no clue about the details of the terrorists as it is still groping in the dark due to what is described as a failed intelligence network and poor coordination between various external and internal security and intelligence setups.
Meanwhile, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has urged Imran Khan founded Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to clarify whether it stands with Pakistan or with Afghanistan amid deadly terror attacks across KP. Addressing a press conference alongside Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry in Islamabad, Tarar alleged that the PTI-led KP government refuses to take ownership of the Counter Terrorism operations or take effective steps against terrorism. He further averred that sufficient time has lapsed to bring about changes in the province, arguing that twelve and a half year are enough to change the conditions of any province and accused the KP government of failing to address terrorism and provide elementary services, saying people in the province were turning to other provinces for even basic facilities. According to him, the federal government had offered modern vehicles and other equipment for the KP police, but the offer was rejected. Tarar further alleged that the PTI leadership had left the KP police at the mercy of the terrorists, while failing to condemn recent cross-border firing from Afghanistan. KP is burning in the fire of terrorism, he said, adding that the provincial leadership’s entire focus was on securing the release of a prisoner from jail. The Minister’s press meet comes amid ongoing terror attacks across the province, leaving scores of civilians and security personnel killed.
In the foregoing, from the strong utterances of the Information Minister, it would appear that there is practically a nonstop intra party bickering which is now coming to the fore. Instead of addressing the core issue of terror, Pakistan’s establishment is engaged in parochial domestic spates and that is proving costly in combating unending acts of terror currently gripping Pakistan. As of now, Pakistan seems rudderless as to how to deal with this menace.
Dr. Shantanu Mukharji is a retired IPS
officer and former National Security
Adviser in Mauritius.
