Darazinda Attack Highlights KP Security Challenges

Darazinda police checkpost attack highlights growing security challenges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with 14 casualties reported after an explosives-laden tractor-trolley attack and subsequent firing on an emergency ambulance. Coming just after the Kohat massacre, it shows an insurgency out of control The horrific attack on a police checkpost in Darazinda showed a province out of control, for after the first attack, caused by the explosion of a tractor-trolley laden with explosives being rammed into, an Emergency Services ambulance which arrived on the scene was fired upon, with two personnel being killed, bringing to 14 the total number of casualties, the 12 who were killed in the original explosion having all been civilians. As the attack took place on the Aman Mela police checkpost, the absence of casualties among the policemen must be seen as a lucky escape. This attack comes nine days after the attack on the Friday congregation at the Kohat Police Lines which left 31 dead. It should also be noted that Kohat Division includes Kurram and Orakzai districts, while Dera Ismail Khan Division includes South Waziristan district. All three of these districts border Afghanistan, and thus are virtually natural routes for the Tehrik Taliban Pakistan if its militants seek safe havens in Afghanistan after some such outrage as they have committed. It is a rather sobering thought that if the PTI had not postponed its rally in Islamabad, the massacre in Dera Ismail Khan would have left the Chief Minister, having to attend it even as his province erupted in violence. The PTI must realize that apart from agitating for the release of party founder Imran Khan from jail, it also has a province to run, and not just one that needs to keep ticking over routinely, but one which has a serious law and order problem, caused by a violent insurgency. It is also to be noted that the problem is one that has spoiled relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan. At the moment, Pakistan is conducting an air campaign, targeting the safe havens which allow TTP militants so much impunity. The militants seem to be concentrating on the police, perhaps as easier targets than the military. However, there is a limit to forbearance, and the time might come when it is felt that there is no option but to root out the safe havens by using ground forces. The KP police and concerned federal agencies must be mobilized and coordinated to elimiinating the menace of sectarian terrorism. Simply exposing their Indian connections will no longer cut it; these links will have to be snapped.