Terrorists turn to old methods

ISLAMABAD - Malicious elements could possibly resort to other means of destruction with the arrival of Eid after there has been an evident decline in suicidal attacks and terrorist activities, TheNation has learnt from credible sources.
Authentic sources in Interior Ministry and law enforcement agencies have confided to this scribe that malicious activities by militants and anti-state elements, with exception to some attacks been reported in NWFP, have virtually come to a halt over the last couple of months. However, this does not invite much optimism for the government as the terrorists have taken up old conventional methods of terrorism including ambush, target killings and attacks on congested gatherings. The chances of any untoward incident involving either of the aforementioned methods run very high on Eid.
The all-out operation against the militants in Malakand Division has certainly helped improve the law and order situation across the country but the strong possibility of any misadventure on the eve of Eid could not be overlooked, sources said.
On tactical grounds, sources believe, it has become increasingly difficult to bring explosive laden vehicles into big cities or central places; in contrast, sophisticated hand carrying weapons could be easily transported to the destination, which is why terrorists are looking for alternate options, they added. According to them, the miscreants are going for conventional methods of inflicting causalities that involve the use of automatic weapons and hit-and-run method. Our law enforcement agencies have taken successful counter measures to tackle suicidal attacks but other fatal options are still available for terrorists that have to be dealt with, this scribe was told.
Its worth recalling here that after Mumbai attacks, terrorism by means of conventional methods has seen a rapid rise with a series of terrorism incidents taking place on the same pattern. The Liberty Market attack, Munawa Police Academy attack and dozens of target killings in Quetta were all conducted on similar tactical lines. A senior official in a law enforcement organisation shared with this newspaper that the traces of life attempt on Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Hamid Saeed Kazmi, are strongly interlinked to the previous terrorist activities carried out by anti-state sponsored elements Not only Minister Kazmi but other influential government officials are highly vulnerable to hit-and-run type of terrorism as well, he added.
It has been further learnt that all the major cities and sensitive areas would be virtually sealed on Eid and the next two days that would follow. There would be strict vigil at the entry and exit points of all the major and sensitive cities, the law enforcement agencies would be on high alert and we would be ready to brace ourselves against any untoward incident, sources added.