The city of Lahore has experienced a terror incident. Whenever there is a terror incident in a big city, it jolts the media and all sections of society, whereas such incidents in remote border areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa mostly remain just another happening. Terrorism anywhere in the country should be taken very seriously. The reality is terrorists are back to action with the help of their sleeper cells. Among the hustle-bustle of Anarkali bazaar of Lahore was a motorcycle parked outside a bank that carried 15 kilos of explosives. According to reports, the remote-controlled explosives were set off and subsequently, three people, among whom was a child, were killed and 26 others injured. The Minute Mirror prays for the fast recovery of the injured people. The area was cordoned off by the police while the bomb disposal squad and the forensics arrived to check and clear the area. More details will be revealed as per the forensics reports. A part of one of the most lively areas of Lahore was destroyed as stalls were knocked over and shops demolished.
The country seems to be falling apart at every front now. The economy is in shambles, the political front is unstable and now the security situation is also getting worse with every passing day. Although terrorist attacks never stopped in the country, they were significantly reduced. However, now it seems like they are picking pace and this will further deteriorate the shaky foundations the country is standing on.
In this situation, the government is extremely naive to put forward their agenda of negotiation with terrorists. With the incoming Taliban government in Afghanistan and Pakistan’s need to develop strategic depth, the higher-ups must not forget what consequences their actions will have. It is an unsaid rule that one must never negotiate with terrorists, however, it seems like some people are not smart enough to understand that so they must be told over and over again to not indulge in fantasies that let them see terrorists as reinstated citizens of the country.
The attacks could have resulted from the earlier operations conducted by the Pakistani army against various militant groups in the country. However, this is the very reason that they must continue in their pursuit to destroy all those who are a threat to the country otherwise innocent lives will be lost over and over again. Lastly, with its newly formed friendship with the Afghan Taliban and its effort to make the world accept and legitimize their government, Pakistan should also ask them to not harbour the TTP as they are a terrorist group hellbent on destroying Pakistan.
