Fighting terror alone: The hard truth from Pahalgam

By N.S. Venkataraman*  

When twenty-six innocent tourists were killed by terrorists at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir after being identified as followers of the Hindu religion, the entire nation felt deep pain.  

Now, the question is how to save the world from these terrorists, who seem to fear none and so far remain largely unchallenged to any significant measure. This is clearly evident from the fact that terrorists continue to be active and repeatedly indulge in terror acts in whatever region they choose.  

The USA suffered a terrorist attack on September 11, 2001, when hundreds of innocent people were killed. European countries have also suffered from terrorist attacks at various times, and of late, terrorist incidents have been reported in Canada. One may wonder whether the governments in these regions believe such acts of terror are "one-off events," as they have so far not carried out any well-coordinated counterterror plans and strategies to wipe out terrorist elements once and for all.  

With regard to effective action against terrorist acts, it is best to say little when it comes to the role of the UNO.  

In the case of the Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir, while a few countries openly expressed support for Pakistan’s claim that it was not responsible, several other countries remained neutral, merely offering lip service to condemning terrorism without acknowledging the base from which the attackers operated.  

Anyone with a basic understanding of terrorism knows that terrorists cannot operate without being sponsored or supported by a government. It is well known that the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack have a base in Pakistan. The government of Pakistan itself has admitted in the past to providing a base for terrorist activities.  

Some years ago, a devastating terrorist attack occurred in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, killing hundreds of innocent people. The Sri Lankan government had to face this grim situation without significant support from any other country.  

The lesson from the Pahalgam attack is clear: countries that are victims of terrorism cannot expect meaningful support from others. Every nation reacts to terrorist incidents based on its own strategic calculations related to trade and regional alliances.  

Countries facing repeated terrorist attacks must rely on their own strength to combat terrorism on their soil.  

In this situation, the UNO, which so far has largely remained an observer, must take the initiative to move a resolution declaring that any act of terror should be considered an act of war. It must also recognize that countries victimized by terrorism have the right to strike at terrorist bases, wherever they may be.  

---

*Trustee, Nandini Voice For The Deprived, Chennai