Not being able to digest its defeat in repeated battles and wars and conceding a sizeable portion of their country on the east, Pakistan has now resorted to growing vermin, duly trained by Taliban forces from their north.
Conventional warfare is hard to begin and harder to end. It required political will as well. The political one-upmanship at this juncture, where the most horrendous attack has taken 40 lives away, all young and posted to the border state. Moving adequate troops and armaments do not get unnoticed with surveillance technology vastly improved, ever since we fought the last war with Pakistan.
On the contrary targeted lone-wolf attacks have become the order of the day, by indoctrinated youth, often local, who are ready to lay down their lives. They are by far the worst fear for any government around the world today. What should not be forgotten is that enormous training, logistical support and explosives are provided to these terrorists before any operation.
Even remote association with any lone-wolf attacks are promptly denied by the recalcitrant neighbour, and to pin them legally down is an arduous, if not an impossible task, as we have witnessed after the 26/11. What do Indians have to do under the circumstances? Keep an eye for any suspicious new face in the neighbourhood, ensuring identity verification while letting out premises to strangers, watch their dialect. Do not hesitate to report to the authorities if anything is amiss.
Hardcore terrorists often present as devout family men checking in with woman and children to pose as a family, which too may be bogus. Schools and educational institutions should teach not to handle any strange objects and to report anything object unusual and out of place, especially at crowded areas like markets, temples and airports. Look out for overzealous radical students and radical members of faculty too, who could easily influence youth and act as recruiters and honeytrappers. Be wary of the rumour mongers and political garbage throwers.
Another ideal space to look out for terrorists is social networking sites like Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter. I wouldn’t care less if the government monitors the networks to catch these elements and would not waste my time crying that such actions in the more substantial interest of the security of our nation are attacking our freedom. It’s more important to avoid Mumbai blasts, Mumbai carnage of 26/11, URI and now Pulwama among many such.
Let the government and our army tackle the menace of terrorism in the manner best suited, but as the citizens, we all have a role to play, identify and isolate the culprits. Please also discard the loudmouth politicians who keep criticising and want holidays to mourn the martyrs. We do not wish holidays and will mourn by being vigilant and taking them all down by their neck, just like perhaps how Israel dealt with terrorism.
Enough of rhetoric and the nation stands united to pack these thugs away to hell forever. Do not hesitate to lend your hand!
Jai Hind
Sampath Kumar
Intrépide voix
pic courtesy: The guardian
