Daily Times

The news about the arrest of 10 suspects belonging to an armed group linked to al Qaeda in Italy has shaken the world. The capture of these terror mongers is a wake-up call to all. It shows that no part of the world is safe from these miscreants who can let loose their evil agenda any time and anywhere. The Italian police are looking for eight other suspects belonging to the same group. All the suspects are Pakistanis and Afghans who have been residing in Italy for the past few years and were plotting attacks mainly in their native countries. The recovered material and investigation suggested that the Vatican was also their target. European governments are increasingly worried about the threat of these ‘sleeper’ militants apparently living normal lives in their countries but who become active to stage attacks at home and abroad. The modus operandi of these militants is simple. They collect charity from Muslims living in European countries and use this funding for terrorist activities. One of the militants who was arrested in Bergamo was a prayer leader. He is suspected of having been a point person for the fund-raising purportedly for religious purposes from Pakistanis and Afghans in Italy. Some of those in the custody of the Italian police are believed to be involved in attacks that have already taken place in Pakistan, including one that killed more than 100 people in a market in Peshawar in 2009. The Italian Chief Prosecutor has revealed that the group had a large number of weapons and numerous followers willing to carry out acts of terrorism. Two people among the 18 arrested were suspected of being part of a group that had protected al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, who was killed by the US forces at his hideout in Abbottabad in 2011. Italian officials are also concerned that members of terrorist groups might be hiding among the thousands of migrants who arrive on Europe’s shores every week. The news is a troubling one for all those who seek refuge in European lands due to ongoing strife and poor economic conditions in their homelands. It is also a cause of concern for all those Muslims residing in various parts of Europe. The incident would further incite hate crimes against these Muslims.

The solution to curb this sort of militancy lies in unity and cooperation among all states. They need to be united against a common enemy that does not discriminate in carrying out terrorist acts. The victim governments should make joint efforts against the militants. Being accused of being a breeding ground of terrorists, Pakistan needs to be more vigilant about the existence of these militants and their supporters. It needs to check their funding sources. A combined effort at national and international level is required to win the war against the evil of terrorism. *