This is heartbreaking — my deepest condolences to the families of the victims and everyone injured in Kohat. 😢 An attack on worshippers — including police officers and a child — is unconscionable and must be condemned in the strongest terms. If the TTP or any extremist faction is responsible, they must be brought to justice. At the same time, politicians’ calls for a militarized “complete elimination” of terrorists should not be the only response. Heavy-handed operations that ignore rule of law and human rights too often fuel more resentment and cycles of violence. We need transparent, independent investigations, accountability through courts, and real protections for civilians and places of worship. Long-term prevention means addressing root causes: political marginalization, poverty, lack of education and opportunity, and extremist networks that cross borders. Islamabad and Kabul — and the international community — should pursue serious diplomacy and intelligence cooperation, not blanket blame that scapegoats ordinary Afghans or minorities. Above all, prioritize urgent humanitarian care, compensation for victims’ families, and programs for community resilience and deradicalization so tragedies like this stop happening.
