Editorial: Terrorism, What’s New?

…We have sound reasons to see Headley’s cooperativeness to FBI and FBI’s reluctance to cooperate with Indians connectedly. With this approach, it doesn’t seem surprising why some of US nationals – American Muslims – get the chance to romanticize extremist views. To see American Muslims supporting victims in Iraq or Afghanistan solely on religious lines is naïve…

The three latest news about terrorism – or Jihad – are quite disturbing. David Coleman Headley, Pakistani-born American national and suspected Lashkar operative, has begun to cooperate with the FBI in the probe hoping to steer clear of capital punishment which is so certain given the gravity of charges he faces. His track record shows that he did the same in earlier two cases when he was caught for drug trafficking. His host, the US authorities, who almost have patent to war on terror, is so willing to act as helpful midwives in the procedure. It means that he is very likely to get scot free for his alleged role in 26/11 attacks, particularly keeping in mind American authorities unwillingness to let Indian investigators quiz Headley. We have sound reasons to see Headley’s cooperativeness to FBI and FBI’s reluctance to cooperate with Indians connectedly. With such an American approach, it doesn’t seem surprising why some of its nationals – American Muslims – get the chance to romanticize extremist views.

Well, the concept of Jihad is prevalent in many countries. But what differentiates the US from rest of them is the fact that it’s one where the growth of extremist attitudes cannot take place given its prosperity, democracy, freedom, and rule of law unless there is an institutional support or movement. Yes, the US waged a war in Iraq and Afghanistan, maybe unnecessary. Yet, to see American Muslims supporting victims in Iraq or Afghanistan solely on religious lines is naïve. It needs more to turn an educated, rich youth to commit to fight the US troops. The Headley case offers an insight. American Muslim youths turning to Jihad, homegrown terrorism as perceived by the government, is something to which the US gimmick to hire agents for terror for its personal use contributes. The American notion of terror being a weapon, that is. Anyway, these well-bred Americans are being recruited using technology, emails, social-networking sites, Youtube etc. This is the second upsetting news. Both the US and India has to take its serious and timely note to curb the notion of Jihad from being popular and spreading further in civilized Muslim society.

Thirdly, India, unlike the US, has to face and prepare itself for facing the threat of terrorism from both sorts – the civilized guys and the uneducated. Yesterday, a terror alert was sounded in Mumbai, Kolkata, New Delhi and Gujarat. The alert, which specifically mentions as possible target Bhabha atomic research centre, defence establishment, Bombay Stock Exchange, RSS Headquarters etc, uses the term ‘Pashtoon looking’ terrorists. Pashtoons are Afghans. Alert says that Taliban-trained terrorists may strike India. Afghanistan is a haven for Taliban. But why Taliban or militants trained by it are interested in targeting India. India has not sent its troops in Afghanistan to kill innocent people or terrorists. Afghani people have no reason for hostility towards India. Earlier, reports have suggested threats from Pakistani Taliban, not Afghani. Definitely, someone is strategically using them against India. The US has its way to deal with tribal-turned-Jihadists – kill them – and is thinking of checking civilized Jihadists. India has to develop its own method to deal with both.