The term “Terrorism Defined” carries a heavy weight, doesn’t it? And rightly so, as it signifies the utter devastation of innocence. Only those who have witnessed it firsthand truly understand its horrors, while others merely glean fragments of information from the news. In Pakistan, we often attribute these atrocious acts—suicide bombings, targeted killings, and genocide—to unidentified perpetrators or third parties. This ambiguity is what frustrates us the most: the inability to identify those responsible for the loss of our loved ones. It’s a harrowing situation to be in—unable to ascertain who tore apart our families, uncertain if we’ll ever find solace or justice.
Even more tragic is the fact that these victims are often innocent civilians. This is the harsh reality my people face every single day. In an instant, a woman becomes a widow, young children are left orphaned, a mother mourns the loss of her only child, and a father loses the light of his life. Yet, despite the overwhelming grief and pain, my people persevere. Even when all that remains is a tear in the eye or a lingering ache in the heart, they find the strength to carry on. It’s the glimmer of hope, however faint, that sustains them. And you know what? It’s all they need to endure.
Calculated use of violence for some ideological purpose is called terrorism.
According to the FBI, terrorism is defined as
Terrorism is the unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.
While there isn’t a single universally agreed-upon definition of terrorism, there appears to be a consensus that it involves acts of violence aimed at compelling governments or individuals to adopt a particular political, social, or religious ideology.
Is it right to call it a war on terror?
When discussing counterterrorism efforts, we often refer to them as the global war on terror. However, there’s a significant flaw in this terminology. A war typically implies a conflict with a known enemy that has clear objectives. However, terrorists are non-state actors, and there isn’t a defined adversary. It’s challenging to identify who exactly is being fought against, as terrorism involves sporadic and unpredictable acts. While terrorists often have political, social, or religious motives, labeling it as a “war” may not be accurate.
Reasons
In South Asia, particularly in Pakistan, the origins of terrorism can be traced back to the Afghan war of the 1980s. This conflict aimed to expel the Soviet Union and led to its eventual disintegration.
Aftermath of Afghan war: Terrorism defined
When the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, it prompted the entire Muslim community to react out of fear that communism’s spread in Afghanistan could extend to other Muslim nations. Concurrently, the United States was engaged in a Cold War with the USSR, vying for global dominance. Pakistan played an undisclosed role as a partner of the US in this scenario.
In response to the invasion, Muslim countries provided manpower for the Afghan war effort. The US contributed significant financial resources and supplied the Mujahideen with training and advanced weaponry, including Stinger missiles to counter Russian helicopters. Pakistan played a central role by offering logistical support to the Mujahideen and facilitating communication between them and the US. The Soviet Union suffered substantial economic losses, leading to its eventual disintegration into smaller states. This outcome marked a victory for the US in the Cold War, which formally ended worldwide in 1991.
