Hakimullah’s death would hardly dent Taliban’s tenacity: Editorial

ISLAMABAD - While mystery still surrounds the death of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) commander Hakimullah Mehsud, it is believed that the dreaded terrorist’s death could be a huge blow to the banned extremist organisation, and reduce the bloodshed in Pakistan.

However, an editorial in one of Pakistan’s leading English newspapers highlighted that Mehsud’s elimination would not have any determining effect on extremism in the country.

The editorial in The Daily Times said that while the there is some possibility that his death could bring a temporary lull in the bloodshed, it would not deter the Taliban from expanding their reign of terror.

“But to expect anything beyond that would be unrealistic. The weapons needed to defeat the Taliban must include development and democracy for the people of the tribal areas. These must be deployed if there is to be any hope of lasting change,” the editorial said.

It highlighted that the main problem is that it is virtually impossible to define the TTP, as several offshoots have germinated from the terror tree.

“Today it is hard to define the TTP. Various splinter groups and organisations affiliated too have emerged; most have imbibed the mindset of the Taliban. It is thus hard to say if the death of any single man will have much impact on the way the TTP functions or on its ruthless policies of destruction,” the editorial said.

It also pointed out that after the death of Baitullah Mehsud, in a similar drone strike last in August last year, it was believed that the TTP would fall apart, but that never happened and instead the banned terror group emerged much stronger striking across Pakistan at will. (ANI)