Taliban sympathisers may be present within Pak security forces: Editorial

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies have failed to protect government offices and peace meetings, despite knowing that they are potential terror targets, which indicates the strong possibility of the presence of Taliban sympathisers within the ranks of the security forces, an editorial in a leading Pakistani newspaper has said.

“The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan has claimed responsibility for the twin suicide attack on the administrative offices of Mohmand Agency at Ghalanai, as a warning to all those who work against them. This is a clear indicator that the target was the peace jirga being held at the political agent’s office,” the editorial in the Daily Times said.

“The death toll crossing 40, which include 12 government officials and two tribal elders, may have caused satisfaction among the perpetrators of this attack, but it has shaken the confidence of the people in the ability of government to provide them security.”

“The presence of a large number of tribesmen at the office of the political agent, including peace committee members, was an open invitation for the Taliban to attack,” it added.

It also stressed that the militants’ intelligence network and coordination is way better than that of the government.

“Despite knowing fully well that government offices and peace meetings are potential targets, law enforcement agencies have failed to protect either. This also indicates the strong possibility of the presence of Taliban sympathisers within the ranks of the security forces, who provide accurate information on which the militants act,” the editorial said.

The editorial also highlighted that it was not the first occasion that peace committee members were targeted.

“Wherever local people have formed alliances to resist the activities of the Taliban, they have earned the ire of the militants, who struck with a vengeance. One might remember the deadly attack on Shah Hasan Khel village of Lakki Marwat district on January 1, where the death toll was more than 100,” the editorial said.

“The crime of this village was that it had ousted the Taliban by forming a peace committee. Regrettably, while the military and paramilitary forces encourage the locals to form peace committees and lashkars, hardly any support or security is provided to the members of these bodies,” it added.

The editorial also suggested that in addition to an internal purge, stringent security measures needs are to be taken to protect potential targets to the extent humanly possible. (ANI)