Capture of Abu Farraj
By the Editor

WITH six other terrorists, roguish Abu Farraj al-Libbi, who is third in al-Qaeda hierarchy after Osama bin Laden and Ayman Zawahiri has, eventually been caged by Pakistan.

Disseminating this news, Pakistan’s Minister for Interior Aftab Sherpao Wednesday gave preliminary details on all the six others as well, who were engaged in hideous acts of terrorism and are now in the custody of Pakistan authorities.

As the reports say, Abu Farraj, a Libyan, was the mastermind of suicide attacks on the President of Pakistan General Pervez Musharraf in December 2003.

Amid this scenario, along with the rest of the peace-loving nations, the US President Bush has termed Abu Farraj’s arrest as a significant victory in the war against terror.

The arrest of the top al-Qaeda agitator or if other way round phrased as ringleader, by Pakistani agencies overtly represents Islamabad’s resolute and stanch commitment against terrorism.

The newest episode has once again proven the ability and competence of Pakistan, to deal with the menace of terrorism, on its own.

Amid such a pledge of Pakistan to annihilate terrorists, it should discount the vicious crusade of some over exuberant elements in the Bush administration that Pakistan is not doing enough to eliminate the al-Qaeda network.

By all parameters of pragmatism, the arrest of the number three executive, in the al-Qaeda chain of command, is a major success against terrorism and will optimistically further weaken the militants’ network, in the world in general and in the region in particular.

Every realist is familiar with the reality that Pakistan is opposed to terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations, a pledge which has been reiterated by President Musharraf, time and again.

As a matter of fact, apart from other risks, Pakistan has performed in the fight against terror even to the peril of its military manpower.

This is evident from the fact that, it has busted the militants’ hideouts and communication network in South Waziristan, located in the Tribal belt, along the Pak-Afghan border and has by now, captured almost 600 Al-Qaeda operatives, commanders and militants.

Abu Farraj is the latest addition to the catalog of the top al-Qaeda influential, in custody.

Abu Farraj was seemingly involved in two suicide attacks on the life of President Musharraf in December 2003, wherein the President survived miraculously.

It’s hoped that the captured al-Queda instigator will be brought to justice expeditiously, with award of due and requisite punishment, to serve as a deterrent for others.

There are, however, reports that a cluster of militants has taken sanctuary in the North Waziristan Agency, after booming operations by Pakistan’s security forces in diverse vicinities of South Waziristan.

It’s hoped that, each and every militant will be dealt with effectively with stick and carrot policy, to rid and clear the Tribal Areas from all types of terrorists.

The entire honest world acknowledges the fact that, Pakistan firmly believes in peace and is striving to promote peace in the region, with utmost sincerity for the good and affluence of all and sundry, having abode in this part of the Earth planet.● 

 -  Mumtaz Hamid Rao
www.MumtazRao.net