Is it the beginning of new terror attacks?

ISLAMABAD: What happened in Lahore on Sunday could be seen in two perspectives: first, it could be in retaliation for the killing of two important Taliban commanders in Afghanistan; second, it’s the first attack since the merger of four militant groups.
Both these developments took place last week. Thus it could be the beginning of new terror strikes, as new alerts have been issued across the country. The series of attacks in Lahore second in a month, have once again raised the question whether paramilitary forces should also be deployed in Lahore — the hometown of Sharif brothers — and other parts of Punjab and launch a massive search operation.
The suspected suicide bombing at churches left at least 18 dead and over 70 injured in one of the deadliest attacks on minority this year. It was followed by a tragic incident in which the mob burnt two persons alive though initial reports suggest they had nothing to do with the attackers. They were attacked by people, who suspected them to be part of the gang.
It was shocking to see that the police allowed the mob to go on rampage and practically take over part of Lahore. This unfortunately has been the pattern of the administration in the last few years that instead of controlling law and order they allow the mob to block roads, burn cars and petrol pumps and create law and order situation.
In other parts of the country also the police and law-enforcement agencies allowed people to take the law into own hands after any major killing or bomb blasts and they themselves became silent spectators. Had the police and law-enforcement agencies taken control of the situation, they could have prevented attack on the metro bus and also saved the two persons, who were burnt alive.
It has once again raised questions about the capacity of the administration. Only after the last incident, the Punjab home minister had announced fool-proof security. The attack came only three days after the outlawed Lashkar-e-Islam (LI) announced merger with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The announcement was made by the spokesman of Jamatul Ahrar Ahsanullah Ahsan. Pakistan Friday celebrated the first test of its armed drone and laser-guided missile, which the Army Chief General Raheel Sharif announced would help in the ongoing operation against terrorists.
Whether this milestone would also bring an end to the US drone attacks or not would be interesting to watch but chances are that it may bring halt to drone strikes unless it hits a very high-profile target.
Pakistan Air Force played a key role in the operation Zarb-e-Azb and army chief during the visit on the day of test also lauded the efforts of security forces.The attack came only two days after the drone test and also came at a time when the government had announced the return of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from March 16, though in different phases.
But, it could also be in retaliation for the killing of two top commanders of Taliban, Maulana Shakeel Ahmad Haqqani and Dr Tariq Ali, which the militant factions apprehend were killed on the “tip-off” from Pakistani intelligence agencies.Pakistan and Afghanistan in the last few months have developed close intelligence cooperation and Afghan security forces have launched several operations in Afghanistan.
Therefore, there is every possibility of more attacks in the coming days or weeks across the country from the militants in order to challenge the writ of the state after the security forces success in North Waziristan.
It will be quite a challenge for the Pakistani security forces and the government to meet the new challenges. The security forces stand resolute in their commitment to defend the country which can be judged from a statement of Corps Commander Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Lt. Gen. Hidayat-ur-Rehman that the nation should not worry about the threat of Islamic State or Daish.
This is the second major attack in Lahore in a month after the last attack near the police lines. Although, the suspected bomber could not succeed in targeting the senior police officer, several people were killed when he blew himself up in a crowded place.
But, in Sunday’s attack one of the suspected bombers managed to get inside the church and blew himself up, which itself was a serious security breach. Sunday, attack in the heart of Punjab on church, has put the Government of Pakistan in an embarrassing position and it is certainly a set back to the efforts and progress in the operation.
It has also raised alarm bells across the country. There is no time for the security agencies, including the police, to relax and watch cricket match, as people complain that the policemen were watching the World Cup cricket match between Pakistan and Ireland when the bomber hit the church. It’s an eye opener, as more such attacks can hit our. It can be the beginning of a new series of terror strike.The writer is senior analyst and columnist of Geo, The News and Jang.