The fallacy of digital terrorism

July 25, 2024

ISLAMABAD – AFTER months of silence, we heard from the military’s spokesperson. The televised presser was supposed to be a briefing on counterterrorism efforts and the recent violence in Bannu.

But the talk digressed to ‘digital terrorism’, which Lt-Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry described as the most serious threat to national security. He blamed a ‘certain’ political party and ‘vested interests’ for maligning the security forces. He was also unhappy with the legal system that he said had failed to convict the perpetrators of May 9. The presser turned into an exercise in political polemics, with the general appearing upset at the state of affairs.

But answers are needed as to what has gone wrong with the counterterrorism campaign. The presser took place days after a series of terrorist attacks in KP that have shaken the troubled province. It was one of the bloodiest days for the security forces last week when 10 soldiers were martyred in two separate terrorist attacks in Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan. A number of civilians were also killed. The escalation in terrorist attacks raises questions about our strategy to fight the menace.

Most worrisome, however, was the violent public protest that broke out a day after in Bannu town. The anger over escalating terrorist incidents turned against the security forces. Several civilian casualties were reported in the clashes. According to Lt-Gen Sharif, the incident was orchestrated by a “political lobby” and played up in the digital media.

What happened in Bannu is actually a reflection of the widening trust gap between the public and security forces. Nothing could be worse for a security apparatus, which has been the main target of terrorist attacks, than to confront its