Daily Times

The recent arrest of Terrorist Wali, a constable of the Peshawar police, has highlighted the ongoing struggle against terrorism in Pakistan. Wali was identified as a key facilitator in the January 2023, suicide bombing at the Police Lines Mosque in Peshawar which resulted in the deaths of 110 innocent people and injured nearly 250. This attack was attributed to Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (JuA), a splinter group of Fitna Al Khawarij which has been responsible for numerous violent acts across the country.

Constable Wali joined the police force in 2019 but began engaging in terrorist activities shortly thereafter. His pivotal role in the Peshawar bombing involved providing critical reconnaissance information to the suicide bomber, including maps and entry points to the Police Lines compound. He was reportedly paid 200,000 rupees through Hawala Hundi for facilitating this attack which he communicated via social media platforms like Telegram and Facebook.

In February 2021, Wali travelled to Afghanistan where he met with JuA commanders and became further entrenched in their operations. Although he was briefly detained by Afghan forces upon his return to Pakistan, he was released due to intervention from his terrorist contacts. His activities included smuggling explosives and suicide vests into Pakistan from Afghanistan and assisting in various attacks, including targeted killings.

The arrest of Wali is a significant victory for law enforcement agencies that have been tirelessly working to dismantle terrorist networks within Pakistan. The investigation leading to his capture spanned over 22 months and involved extensive intelligence gathering. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police emphasized that Wali was a “missing link” in understanding how JuA orchestrated this attack from within the police force itself.

The arrest of Wali is a significant victory for law enforcement agencies that have been tirelessly working to dismantle terrorist networks within Pakistan.

This case underscores the importance of vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement and intelligence agencies in combating terrorism. The successful operation not only apprehended a key facilitator but also exposed vulnerabilities within the police ranks that could be exploited by extremist groups.

The ramifications of Wali’s actions extend beyond individual accountability; they reflect broader issues within Pakistan’s fight against terrorism. Groups like Jamaat-ul-Ahrar and their affiliates exploit social media for recruitment and coordination, posing unique challenges for security forces. The use of technology by these groups highlights an urgent need for enhanced monitoring and counter-terrorism strategies. Moreover, Wali’s case raises critical questions about loyalty within security forces. His betrayal of fellow officers for mere monetary gain illustrates how deeply embedded extremist ideologies can infiltrate institutions designed to protect citizens. This incident serves as a stark reminder that counter-terrorism efforts must also focus on internal threats alongside external ones.

The activities of Jamaat-ul-Ahrar are not isolated; they are part of a larger network of extremist organizations that include ISKP and Fitna Al Khawarij. ISKP has been particularly notorious for targeting Muslim states while avoiding attacks on Israel and India, despite their blatant atrocities in Gaza and IIOJK respectively. This selective targeting openly discloses the true motives behind such organizations, suggesting that they serve foreign interests by manipulating the name of Islam and Islamic Values. The ideological underpinnings of these groups often disguise themselves as legitimate expressions of Jihad but ultimately contribute to division and violence within Muslim communities. Their actions create rifts not only in Pakistan but across the broader Muslim world, undermining efforts toward unity and peace.

The arrest of Constable Wali is a crucial step in addressing the threat posed by terrorist organizations like Jamaat-ul-Ahrar and ISKP. It exemplifies the relentless efforts of law enforcement agencies to root out extremism from within their ranks while highlighting the need for ongoing vigilance against both internal and external threats. The fight against such groups requires not only military action but also a concerted effort to counter their narratives and prevent their ideologies from taking root in vulnerable communities.

(To Be Continued)

The writer is a graduate of QAU, PhD scholar and a freelance writer and can be reached at fa7263125@gmail.com