Pakistan's, and India's, Terror Trap

[batmannow]

Pakistan's, and India's, Terror Trap
Anwer Sher
December 15, 2008 7:19 PM
post global.com

The killing of any human being is not something one should gloat over, justify or otherwise praise, and in this vein the attacks in Mumbai are horrific to say the least. It would also seem, based on evidence so far, that some militant groups based in Pakistan carried out this attack, and Pakistan has offered to prosecute these people and some arrests have been made.

While India may suggest that Pakistan is not doing enough, the fact that there has been a state of turmoil within Pakistan for over a decade suggests that reining in these militant groups is not exactly as easy as it sounds. The charge that elements within Pakistan's Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) have had inks to militant groups could well be true -- but is not necessarily proved beyond a shadow of doubt.
I do not think war-mongering or taking a page out of U.S. policy of retaliatory strikes is the answer in this situation.
First of all, Pakistan has its own problems with its home grown terrorist threat, losing a Benazir Bhutto to one such attack, the culprits behind which still remain at large.
Secondly, Pakistan's society is fragmented, and divided, especially in the northwest, where more of the population lives in fear of the next terrorist strike than of the next U.S. missile strike. In this atmosphere of strife, it is easy both for militant groups to operate with relative immunity and for militants wanted by foreign governments to hide.
Thirdly, while this tragic attack against the people of Mumbai was perhaps largely carried out by Pakistani men, one cannot simply say India's entire history with terrorist attacks rests on Pakistan's doorstep, as we would be forgetting that earlier bombing attacks on the Mumbai stock exchange and elsewhere were carried out by India's own home grown brand of terrorists. In 2007, a terrible bombing of a train linking India and Pakistan, in which 63 people were killed mostly Pakistanis, was linked to an Indian group in Indore.

Sensible people on both sides of the border have to accept that terrorism is not a state sponsored act insofar as these two countries are concerned. While Pakistan has not been able to control the groups operating within its own territory for the reasons cited, it would be naive to assume cross border raids will achieve much more than to raise tensions between two countries who can ill afford a war at this stage.

The answer is to increase cooperation between the two countries, and to deal with the problems more proactively, and to create a framework of trust between each nation's secret service organizations. In reality, Pakistan gains little from sponsoring terrorist attacks against others when when its own militants are harassing the country from the inside. We must understand and appreciate that militant attacks of this sort are a problem for both India and Pakistan and that dealing with them by more saber rattling will achieve nothing but tension.

Pakistan must also work harder to clamp down on these groups, which have caused so much damage within and outside the country. It cannot just go on hoping the problem will go away with time. It is important that sanity prevail at moments like. We must find peace at these moments, not more deaths.




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Anwer Sher
Dubai, UAE
Originally from Pakistan, Anwer Sher is based in Dubai and writes for Gulf News, Khaleej Times and Emirates Today. His varied career experience includes banking, consulting, and real estate development. He has a Masters degree in International Relations.

 

[Kismat]

While India may suggest that Pakistan is not doing enough, the fact that there has been a state of turmoil within Pakistan for over a decade suggests that reining in these militant groups is not exactly as easy as it sounds. The charge that elements within Pakistan's Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) have had inks to militant groups could well be true -- but is not necessarily proved beyond a shadow of doubt.

I agree that maybe Pakistan "state" cannot do anything. But you do know that more than doing something it should be at least perceived as doing something.

Hmm interesting point about the ISI not being proved without a doubt. I am sure then that when the article says that a group in Indore has been linked to the Samjhauta express, the person writing the article would agree that there has been no charge sheet that has been filed as yet and believe it or not the bad guys are already "in custody". and not like Mr. Masood Azhar

I do not think war-mongering or taking a page out of U.S. policy of retaliatory strikes is the answer in this situation.
First of all, Pakistan has its own problems with its home grown terrorist threat, losing a Benazir Bhutto to one such attack, the culprits behind which still remain at large.
Secondly, Pakistan's society is fragmented, and divided, especially in the northwest, where more of the population lives in fear of the next terrorist strike than of the next U.S. missile strike. In this atmosphere of strife, it is easy both for militant groups to operate with relative immunity and for militants wanted by foreign governments to hide.
Thirdly, while this tragic attack against the people of Mumbai was perhaps largely carried out by Pakistani men, one cannot simply say India's entire history with terrorist attacks rests on Pakistan's doorstep, as we would be forgetting that earlier bombing attacks on the Mumbai stock exchange and elsewhere were carried out by India's own home grown brand of terrorists. In 2007, a terrible bombing of a train linking India and Pakistan, in which 63 people were killed mostly Pakistanis, was linked to an Indian group in Indore.

Well lets look at war mongering and chronology of changing statements:
1. Indian external affairs minister said "All options are being considered". He did not say that surgical strikes on pakistani territory is being considered. All he meant was its one of the options that are before him.
2. Obama says "A sovereign nation has a right to self defense".
3. Pakistani Defense minister and external affairs minister announce " we have Azhar, Saeed and Lakhvi."
4. Indian external affairs and defence ministers say "War is not a solution" Gee.. doesn't that mean we will bomb you to hell??
5. And wonder of wonders the next statement coming out of the pakistani foreign affairs minister is " we never had Azhar, dont know where he is"
So how the hell can we let off the mild statement "All options are being considered" when any dilution of that seems to be leading to some people disappearing from custody.

Finally, If the attack was carried out by pakistani men, then ultimately the responsibility does lie with the state. Zardari has admitted that "Non state actors also are the responsibility of pakistan". Saying "it is not" implies that the sovereign writ of pakistan does not run in all its territories. I am sure that is even more dangerous to admit.

Sensible people on both sides of the border have to accept that terrorism is not a state sponsored act insofar as these two countries are concerned. While Pakistan has not been able to control the groups operating within its own territory for the reasons cited, it would be naive to assume cross border raids will achieve much more than to raise tensions between two countries who can ill afford a war at this stage.

The answer is to increase cooperation between the two countries, and to deal with the problems more proactively, and to create a framework of trust between each nation's secret service organizations. In reality, Pakistan gains little from sponsoring terrorist attacks against others when when its own militants are harassing the country from the inside. We must understand and appreciate that militant attacks of this sort are a problem for both India and Pakistan and that dealing with them by more saber rattling will achieve nothing but tension.

Pakistan must also work harder to clamp down on these groups, which have caused so much damage within and outside the country. It cannot just go on hoping the problem will go away with time. It is important that sanity prevail at moments like. We must find peace at these moments, not more deaths.

This point I understand. If Pakistan does do enough to curb training camps in its sovereign territory then we would not have any reason for cross border attacks. I hope they act. I dont want more loss of lives civilian or military. But given a choice I am sure what our leadership will choose. Tho they are loathe to impose a war, any further violence in any part of the country will just leave them with no choice.