This is remarkable progress. it comes from military operation Zarb-e-Azb in the erstwhile FATA and intelligence based-operation, Raddul Fasaad, all across the country launched after two brazen incidents, first the May attack on the Karachi Airport, and then the harrowing carnage at the Army Public School in Peshawar in which 135 young pupils and staff were killed. Another reason for the drop in bringing militancy under control, notes the CRSS report, is the arrest of suspected militants belonging to various proscribed outfits during the last year. Of these 141 suspects 32 were from the TTP; 11 from a vicious sectarian organization, Laskhar-e-Jhangvi; three from AL Qaeda in the Indian Sub-Continent, four from the IS; two from the so-called Baluchistan Liberation Army; and five from the Baloch Republican Army. Also apprehended were 24 suspected militants of Jaish-e-Mohammad and two of the Jamaatud Dawaa. The last two outfits though not active inside the country, they are believed to have connections with other militant organizations.

Despite a sharp reduction in attacks, terrorism remains a serious cause of concern. It is worth noting that although the largest drop in fatalities was seen in Baluchistan it still remains most affected by militancy, mainly due to the disorder in the neighbouring Afghanistan where certain elements inimical to this country have been sheltering these terrorists and using them to create instability in this country. The more serious source of trouble, however, are homegrown violent extremists and their supporters. They may be lying low but remain a clear and present danger to this state and society. Every now and then either a terrorist incident happens or counter terrorism departments in the provinces report aborted attempts at violence. Whilst the latest CRSS report offers some comfort, there is no room for smugness. Normalcy will return only when militancy in all its forms manifestations is eliminated root and branch. That will take time and unremitting resolve on the part of the government and the law enforcement agencies. It is a long fight, but one which has to be fought without any letup.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020