In the wake of ongoing terrorist attacks in Pakistan during the current year, there is an urgent need for beefing up security during the Month of Muharram, particularly during the first 1o days and on Ashura, as terrorists will make attempts to sabotage the Muharram Majalis and the mourning processions across the border.

The Ulema of various Schools-of-Thoughts should avoid statements which can fuel sectarianism as terrorists will take benefit of such a situation.

Instead of focusing on sectarian statements, we all should work together to thwart the nefarious designs of the militants and terrorists, who might be planning to strike during the Muharram Majalis and processions.

There is no denying that terrorists groups are present in Afghanistan which could be gauged from killing of high profile terrorists in drone attacks in Afghanistan and in wake of their presence in Afghanistan, the danger of attacks in  Muharram looms large in the wake of  continued attacks by the militants from across the Afghan border.

Though there has been marked decrease in such attacks in recent months as compared to first three months of the current year, but the terrorists are still active and resort to carrying out attacks in KP and Balochistan from time to time. On the average, three to four attacks took place in Pakistan every month which indicates that militants are still very much active.

The killing of the most-wanted Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in a US drone strike in Afghanistan, proves the presence of terrorists groups like the IS, the Al-Qaeda and other militants groups, who have not only regrouped themselves after the Taliban take-over in Afghanistan but are also involved in terrorists activities across the border in Pakistan.

The ongoing terrorist attacks by terrorists, mainly in the KP’s South Waziristan, North Waziristan and adjoining tribal areas along the Afghanistan border indicate that the terrorists are active against Pakistan.

Every now and then we hear of terrorists being killed in the country. Last week,  six terrorists were killed in military operation in  Kech, Balochistan province.

Earlier, a  most wanted TTP Terrorists were killed by security forces in  May  last during a fire exchange  between security forces and terrorists in Boya, North Waziristan tribal area.

Last month, over a dozen terrorists were killed in different IBOs operations in exchange of fire between the security forces and the militants in KP’s various districts mainly South and North Waziristan.

Earlier in on June 6,  Seven terrorists were killed in Bannu District of KP by Security forces in an exchange of fire in North Waziristan district, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P).

They were laced with modern weapons and ammunition which  were recovered from them after they were killed.

In recent month, it has been noticed that the main target of the terrorists are the security forces and hundreds of Pakistani soldiers have been killed in terrorist attacks during the current year.

From January to March this year,  As many as 97  Pak security personnel were martyred  in period less than 3 months in terror attacks by militants along Afghanistan border’ in KP and Balochistan areas which are near the Afghan border.

And the current year’s most gruesome attack took place in Peshawar when a suicide bombing inside a mosque in Kucha Risaldar, killed and injured around 200 worshipers who had gathered for Friday prayers.

The IS Khorasan Chapter which is present in Afghanistan was involved in the Peshawar attack accepted responsibility for this horrifying attack. The same month, the commander of this militant Islamic State group’s Khorasan chapter (IS-K) namely Hasan Shah, who was mastermind of this horrifying suicide attack was killed in an intelligence-based operation by the Counter-Terrorism Department.

The mastermind of Peshawar mosque attack was reportedly a member of the outlawed TTP, but had later left the TTP and switched over to the IS-K.

In March this year, as many as  three militants of the IS-Khorasan chapter were killed in an exchange of fire with the security personnel during an Intelligence Based Operation in Jamrud District of KPK.

As a matter of fact, these terrorists infiltrate into to Pakistan through Afghan border under the disguise of Afghan refugees and according to a recent report by the UN, the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan which comprises up to 5,000 militant fighters is present in Afghanistan.

This was disclosed in a report, sent to the UN SC in February last, and it had also warned that after the takeover of Afghanistan by Taliban, the Afghan soil can become a safe haven for terrorists groups like the Al Qaeda , the IS etc.

In a nutshell, the danger of attacks during Muharram is looming large and the security apparatus must be put on alert to thwart any such moves by the terrorists, who might be planning for such attacks. It has also been reported that India is openly funding and supporting these terrorists groups to sabotage peace in Pakistan. So it is time for great vigil.