Lal Shahbaz Qalandar Shrine Blast

The survivors, their families, and the entire nation had hardly mourned the deadly Shah Noorani Shrine blast of November 2016 that yet another devastating blast jolted the Lal Shahbaz Qalandar Shrine, taking lives of more than a hundred and wounding thrice the number of deceased pilgrims. 

The recent bloody massacre completely bewildered the nation and raised serious questions as to what led to the savage killings of the innocent people. One would have expected after the blast of Shah Noorani Shrine of better security if not foolproof of religious sanctums but to no avail. 

The security lapses at Lal Shahbaz Qalandar Shrine, if meticulously investigated, are numerous given the nature of the security arrangements. These security slip-ups, without particularizing them, could have been averted had there been proper watch and ward. Unfortunately, a great deal of complacency after a brief phase of vigilance in security measures leads to such ignominious acts of terrorism. 

The onus of blast, therefore, is put on the complacent attitude of those entrusted with the task of maintaining security at all levels. So what is it that can be done to change this complacency to achieve hundred percent alertness and vigilance?

It can be done by devising a multifaceted, long-term security strategy; the one that not only counters terrorists but also eradicates their root-causes. Unless root-causes are targeted and thereby neutralized, such blasts keep repeating themselves, wreaking havoc in the lives of more and more innocent people. 

Temporary solutions to combat terrorism and extremism will lead us nowhere. Permanent strategies, aimed at preventing the menace of terrorism and extremism besides combating it, are the need of the hour. And this can be achieved by strengthening and empowering the police. Usually, it is the police that takes care of who is and who is not. So augmenting police's capacity and making it capable of countering terrorism will ensure a considerable decrease in the instances of bomb blasts and other acts of terrorism. 

Again, any strategy or policy can only achieve its end result if it is implemented in its true spirit and entirety. If it is not implemented fully, it will fail to curb terrorism for good like the National Action Plan (NAP).