In a shocking turn of events, Pakistan, once considered a safe haven for terrorists, is witnessing a spate of mysterious assassinations targeting notorious individuals associated with extremist groups. The recent killing of Jaish-E-Mohammad terrorist Maulana Raheem Ullah Tariq in Karachi by unknown assailants adds to a growing list of such incidents, highlighting a concerning trend that questions the stability of Pakistan’s domestic situation.
The targeted killings are not limited to one particular group or region, indicating a widespread issue. Dawood Malik, a close aide of the wanted terrorist Maulana Masood Azhar, met his end in North Waziristan. Malik was a key figure in Lashkar-e-Jabbar with ties to Azhar. The identity of his assailants remains a mystery, raising questions about the security apparatus in the region.
Shahid Latif, affiliated with Jaish-e-Mohammed, and the mastermind behind the 2016 Pathankot terror attacks, faced a similar fate in Sialkot, Pakistan. The unknown gunmen again left security agencies puzzled and the public alarmed.
Ziaur Rehman, a member of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), was shot dead in Karachi by motorcycle-borne assailants. The uncertainty surrounding these attacks adds to the growing unease within the country.
Abu Qasim Kashmiri, another key figure behind the Dhangri attack in Rajouri, was gunned down in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK).
The assassination of Sardar Hussain Arain, an operative of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and close aide of Hafeez Saeed, raises concerns about internal strife within extremist organizations. The Sidhudesh Revolutionary Army (SRA) claimed responsibility for Arain’s death, suggesting potential power struggles within these groups that further jeopardize Pakistan’s security.
The recent spate of assassinations in Pakistan has raised serious concerns about the country’s domestic stability. Years of tolerating and even supporting terrorism on its own soil appear to have boomeranged, leading to a surge in domestic terror and violence. As Hillary Clinton aptly noted, having snakes in one’s backyard inevitably results in bites.
Confronted with these challenges, Pakistan faces an immediate imperative to address the internal factors fueling the escalating instability. Citizens are living in constant fear, with multiple shootings occurring in broad daylight in recent times. Compounded by Pakistan’s already fragile economy, the pervasive threat of violence adds an additional layer of distress for the population. Urgent action is required to rectify these issues and restore a sense of security and stability to the nation.
