INNOCENTS MASSACRED - Just How Did Pak Get Here?

Dec 17 2014 : The Economic Times (Kolkata)

ET By Invite - INNOCENTS MASSACRED - Just How Did Pak Get Here?

Vivek Katju Ex-Secretary, MEA





TIME FOR INTROSPECTION After Taliban attack it can only be hoped that this incident will move the Pak army, the political class and civil society to act in concert to combat and eliminate all forms of terrorism in Pakistan

Children are beyond the vicissitudes of politics, diplomacy, even hostility and war. Whatever may be the substance of our relations with Pakistan, and despite what the Pakistan Army has done to our people and interests, if the children of the officers and men of the army have been mowed down by the terrorists in cold blood, it is a cause of numbing grief. And that sorrow flows from our sanskars and our common humanity.

The government has done well to convey the nation's horror at the Tehrik-e-Taliban attack on the Army school in Peshawar. It would also be in conformity with the traditions of the Indian army, despite the continuing hostility of the Pakistan army, for our Army Chief to pick up the phone and convey to his Pakistani counterpart the Indian army's revulsion at the killing of the children. This move may be unprecedented but will not be out of place.

After the shock comes the time for introspection. If the Pakistan army and the political class do not undertake a full analysis in the wake of this tragedy of the causes which has brought Pakistan to this terrible pass, nothing will move them to do so. The brave words that have emerged from the Pakistan leadership all through the day of the attack dwell on the state's determination to complete the objec tives of the army's Zarb-e-Azb operation in North Waziristan. That operation seeks to eliminate the TTP. This is not enough.

In the instance of the Zarb-e-Azb operation, the Pakistan Army has adhered to its longstanding doctrine of distinguishing between terrorist groups that are engaged in hostilities with it and those who are willing to act as its proxies whether in Afghanistan or India. All through the past two decades India and some other countries have conveyed to Pakistan that it cannot run with the hare and hunt with the hound. The Pakistan army cannot encourage, instigate and support the Lashkar-e-Toiba's violent actions against India and take on the TTP at the same time. This policy has been ruinous for Pakistan but the army, like the Bourbons, learns nothing and forgets nothing. It can only be hoped that this terrible incident will move the army, the political class and civil society to act in concert to combat and eliminate all forms of terrorism in Pakistan.

The TTP attack on the army school came a day after the hostage crisis in Sydney. Both show that all states are increasingly vulnerable to different forms of terrorism. This holds lessons for India too. This is also a time for the Government to assertively promote the conclusion and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention against International Terrorism.

Reminder of Beslan School Siege

PESHAWAR Taliban attackers' brazen as sault on a school in Peshawar brought back the chilling memories of a similar bloodbath in Russia in 2004 when Che chen rebels stormed a school. The assault brought back memories of the Beslan school hostage crisis in which more than 330 people, the majority of them children, were killed.

Pak Hockey Team's Welcome Cancelled

LAHORE A grand welcome planned for Pakis tan's hockey team which won a silver medal in Champions Trophy was on Tuesday called off . The Pakistan Hockey Federation said the ceremony has been cancelled following the attack. The ceremony was planned to welcome the players who took Pakistan to the final of the just-concluded tournament in India after a gap of 16 years.