Carnage in Pakistan
WE express our profound shock at the horror unleashed by a major explosion in the Marriott Hotel in Pakistan's capital Islamabad on Saturday. The carnage, apparently caused by a suicide bomber, has so far left over 40 people killed and scores injured and the hotel in ruins.
Pakistan has faced a series of bombings and similar attacks for more than a year at different areas, indicating how vulnerable the country had become to dastardly terrorist attacks. And as for Marriott, it has always been a high profile target on the list of the extremists where the foreigners frequented, and this time they have succeeded in carrying out the attack to cause maximum stir. The magnitude of the explosion and the precision with which it was detonated so close to a well-guarded hotel indicates that a highly trained group of extremists have operated from behind.
The attack came at a time when, ironically, in his inaugural speech to parliament, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari vowed to root out terrorism and extremism wherever they may try to surface in the country. Grave though it may sound, it appears that militants continue to pose serious danger to the stability in a populous country where they have numerous support bases and sympathisers. The recent strikes by the US forces on tribal areas on the soil of Pakistan accusing those to be new strongholds for Al-Quaeda and Taliban militants have also caused anti-west sentiments to flare up among the rank and file in the country. The people of Pakistan consider the act as infringement on their sovereignty, which might have provided the extremists with an excuse to exploit the situation.
The attacks on civilian targets by the militants are highly condemnable. It speaks volumes for the lack of scruples in materialising their agenda. These elements are veritably getting stronger everyday and their network is extending beyond the borders. Today it is Pakistan, tomorrow it may be any country in the region. Therefore, we should put our heads together to defeat terrorism. At such difficult times we express our empathy and solidarity with the people of Pakistan.
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