Tag: #terrorist

Blast at mosque in Afghan city of Kandahar, atleast seven dead

A large explosion tore through a Shi’ite mosque in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar during Friday prayers, killing at least seven people and wounding 13, officials and provincial leaders said.

Qari Saeed Khosti said authorities were collecting details of the explosion, which took place days after a suicide bomb attack claimed by Islamic State on a Shi’ite mosque in the northern city of Kunduz that killed scores of people.

Photographs posted by journalists on social media showed many people apparently dead or seriously wounded on the floor of the mosque.

Nematullah Wafa, a former member of the provincial council, said the blast occurred at the Imam Bargah mosque and caused heavy casualties but there were no immediate confirmation of the number of dead and wounded.

The blast, coming so soon after the Kunduz attack underlined the increasingly uncertain security in Afghanistan as Islamic State has stepped up operations following the Taliban victory over the Western-backed government in Kabul in August.

Written by : Ananya Kaushal

Everything You Should Know About Afghanistan Crisis

US Talking To Pakistan Leaders To Shut Down Safe Havens For Taliban: Pentagon
Taliban’s surge in Afghanistan has intensified as US troops wrap up their withdrawal 

US Forces are pulling out from Afghanistan after 20 years of war. The US’s longest-ever war cost them hundreds of billions of dollars. Due to war thousands of people lost their lives and millions were displaced in their own country. In February 2020, both US and the Taliban signed a peace treaty that states that the Taliban will not allow the use of Afghan land as a terrorist base. Taliban also took the pledge of maintaining peace in the country. US President Joe Biden has set a symbolic date of 11 September 2021 for full withdrawal.

What Is Taliban?

Who are the Taliban – Part 2: Will there be changes on the ground? | Research News,The Indian Express
Courtesy-Indian Express

Mullah Mohammad Omar, a Pashtun tribe member who became a mujahedeen commander and helped push the Soviets out of Afghanistan in 1989, created the Taliban in southern Afghanistan. Mullah Omar founded the organization in Kandahar in 1994 with around 50 members to combat the insecurity, corruption, and criminality that gripped Afghanistan during the post-Soviet civil war. In 1996, the Taliban rapidly conquered Kandahar and the capital, Kabul after which they imposed severe Islamic restrictions including Sharia Law, banning television and music, prohibiting girls from attending school, and requiring women to wear burqas from head to toe.

US Invasion in Afghanistan 

Afghanistan war: What has the conflict cost the US? - BBC News
Courtesy-BBC

On 11 September 2001, a terrorist attack happened in the US which took the lives of around 3000 civilians. Osama Bin Laden, the leader of the Islamic militant group Al-Qaeda took responsibility for the attack. Bin Laden ran to Afghanistan to seek shelter where the Taliban gave him protection and refused to hand over Laden to the US. After which the US intervened militarily in Afghanistan and removed the Taliban from power. By December 17, 2001, the US and its allies had removed the Taliban from power and established military bases near major towns around the country. During the Battle of Tora Bora, the majority of al-Qaeda and Taliban members escaped, either to Pakistan or fleeing to rural or remote mountainous areas.

The return of the Taliban | Guest column - UP Front News - Issue Date: Jul 26, 2021
Photo By Reuters

As per the latest report, the Taliban has taken control of over 90% area of Afghanistan. More than 1,000 civilians lost their lives in the past month. 

AIRSTRIKE THAT DESTROYED TALIBAN HIDEOUTS IN AFGANISTAN:

AFGHAN-TALIBAN:

Afghan security forces have increasingly relied on airstrikes to push the militants back from cities, putting the lives of civilians at risk.

A hideout used by Taliban insurgents is seen being destroyed in an airstrike by defense forces. A video regarding the same was released by the Afghanistan government on Twitter.

 In the attack that happened in Zherai district of Kandhar province, total of 20 terrorists were killed. At least 250 such insurgents have been killed while nearly 100 were wounded in battles at several major cities over the past 24 hours, Afghan army said.

As per reports three terrorist vehicles, six motorcycles, two bunkers and a significant amount of their weapons and ammunition were also destroyed.

Ministry of defense, Afghanistan in twitter quoted ” 254 taliban terrorists were killed and 97 wounded as a result of ANDSF operations in Ghazni, Kandahar, Herat, Farah, Jowzjan, Balkh, Samangan, Helmand, Takhar, Kunduz, Baghlan, Kabul & Kapisa provinces during the last 24 hours. Also, 13 IEDs were discovered & defused by ANA “.

Over the past few weeks, Afghanistan has witnessed a surge in violence as Taliban has intensified their against their attack forces and civilians.

AFGHAN VIEWS:

Afghanistan government has repeatedly dismissed the Taliban’s steady territorial progress over the summer as “lacking strategic value”.

In this regard, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Miley, made a remarkable comment that the Taliban now control about half of the 419 districts centres in Afghanistan.

He added that as the Taliban seize more territory, the Afghan security forces are consolidating their positions to protect key population center’s, including Kabul.

TERRORISM

The term “terrorism” refers to deliberate acts of violence that result in the harm and death of innocent individuals while also instilling fear in society. The ultimate goal is to use force to bring about political change. Terrorism, on the other hand, has nothing to do with religion. A terrorist is a terrorist, regardless of whether he or she is Hindu or Muslim.

The term “terrorism” has approximately 10,000 definitions. Supporters may refer to a group as “freedom warriors,” while opponents may refer to it as “terrorists.” States frequently use the term “terrorism” to attack political opponents. The use of violence against noncombatants to garner notoriety for a group, cause, or individual is one type of terrorism. 

Types of Terrorism:

Terrorism can be classified into two types: political terrorism, which causes widespread alarm, and criminal terrorism, which involves kidnapping for ransom. Because it is carried out by well-trained individuals, political terrorism is far more dangerous than criminal terrorism. As a result, law enforcement officials will have a tough time apprehending them in a timely manner. Terrorism has expanded both domestically and internationally. The most dangerous form of terrorism is regional terrorism. Terrorists believe that dying as a terrorist is sacred and holy, and they are willing to go to any length to achieve this goal. These terrorist organizations were formed for various reasons. 

Impact of Terrorism in India:

Terrorism, as previously stated, has a significant influence on any country. It is much the more dangerous when we consider a developing country like India. First and foremost, it instils fear in the populace. People’s mental health is affected by bomb blasts or gunfire. As a result, a number of citizens die prematurely or become crippled. The anxiety and fear that one must live with severely restricts one’s ability to live. 

Terrorism also has a significant influence on tourism. The tourism industry will suffer a setback as travellers avoid regions that are prone to terrorist attacks. Tourism provides a significant portion of India’s earnings. When such incidents occur, tourists are also terrified. Those who intended to travel cancel their plans. Those who are currently there cut their trip short and depart. 

Terrorist attacks also cause international investors to be hesitant about investing in India. Who wants to invest in a country where terrorism is a threat? They choose safer alternatives rather than taking the risk. This is a major setback for India’s economy, which relies on them. As a result, the economy suffers as a result of this. As a result of the loss of life and property caused by terrorist attacks, the cost of replacement is significant. It also leads to people fleeing the country in search of a safer environment outside of the country. India will lose a large number of prospective physicians, engineers, artists, and other professionals as a result of this.

Major Terror Attacks in India:

Over the years, India has been subjected to a number of terrorist strikes. The deadliest of them all was undoubtedly the Mumbai terror strike on November 26th, 2001. Terrorists took control of well-known locations such as Nariman House, Hotel Oberoi Trident, and Hotel Taj. They killed about 170 people and injured more than 300 more. All of the victims were either cops, security guards, or tourists. The Mumbai Train Bombings killed a lot of people. They occurred on Mumbai’s local trains and at seven different railway stations. It killed 210 people and injured 715 others.

The attack on the Indian Parliament was likewise a shock. The parliament is one of the most secure structures in the world. Three members of the parliament and six police officers were killed by the terrorist. It’s still astonishing to think that such a secure location could be targeted. To summarise, terrorism must be removed in India in order for the country to be safe and prosperous.