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As I stood still after the Imam during Taraveh prayers at our mosque, my thoughts wandered, wondering how one Muslim could shed the blood of another Muslim, especially during the Holy Month of Ramadan when Muslims are strictly forbidden from causing harm to any human being.
In quick succession, first Jamia Haqqani in Nowshera was attacked, followed by an attack on Bannu Garrison. Reportedly, six terrorists from the proscribed Tehreek-i-Taliban Hafiz Gul Badar Group were killed as security forces foiled an attack on the Bannu Cantonment in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A senior district police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP that “suicide bombers rammed two explosives-laden vehicles into the entrance gate of Bannu Cantonment, triggering massive explosions… after which multiple terrorists attempted to storm the compound.” The official added that “security forces present at the scene engaged them in a gunfight.”
I wonder why the senior police officer was afraid to be named when terrorists continue to wreak havoc. So far, 11 civilians are confirmed dead, and another 30 are injured; the count will rise as more people succumb to their wounds. Thankfully, the Chief Minister expressed grief over the incident and sought a report from senior police officials.
I am sure the new police chief, Zulfiqar Hameed, would be seeking forgiveness for his sins, having been posted to a province that has become a killing field for both armed forces and civilians. The Interior Minister, who brought laurels to the country through cricket and swiftly condemns terrorist attacks while praising the sacrifices of armed forces, deserves credit. The Governor is equally competent in condemning these attacks.
The Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), an Islamabad-based think tank, keeps track of the dead and injured to compile its reports. However, their reports merely show an increase or decrease in terrorist attacks without identifying the causes and solutions to this scourge that has crippled the Pakistani economy and tarnished the country’s international reputation.
As a die-hard Pakistani and devoted Muslim, my heart bleeds to see these senseless killings, especially during Ramadan. I think that instead of offering Zakat to purify our wealth, the nation needd to sacrifice their lives to purify their souls. All one needs is a group of devoted armed Muslims and Pakistanis volunteers with a mission to take this war to the terrorists, rather than waiting for them to keep attacking us. After all, they live on this earth, and it’s not difficult to track and tackle them if there’s a will, there is a way . No more bloodshed, please, of innocent Pakistanis.