A lone wolf or member of a terrorist network? That is the question being asked most often about Faisal Shahzad, the Pakistan-origin American accused of leaving an explosives-laden vehicle in New York’s Times Square on May 1.
Mr Shahzad has apparently confessed to his crime but many questions remain unanswered. For one thing, his background doesn’t quite match the profiles of most Muslim men who opt for terrorism after being indoctrinated with violent ‘jihadist’ ideology. And while there are reports of Mr Shahzad engaging in suspicious activity when he last visited Pakistan, it is also known that his personal life had been unravelling over the last few years. Then there are his supposed links with the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan. First an unidentified person, ostensibly speaking for the TTP, claimed responsibility just a few hours after the botched attack in New York. Since then, however, the TTP’s top spokesman — though full of praise for the Times Square plot — has told an international news channel that his organisation is in no way connected to Faisal Shahzad. As we speak, the picture is murky and Mr Shahzad’s true motives remain unclear.
Washington, for its part, is convinced of a ‘clear’ Pakistan link while the senior-most spokesman of Pakistan’s armed forces believes it is too early to assume that the Taliban played a role in the May 1 incident. The good news on this front is that although US officials are ratcheting up pressure on Pakistan, there is no evidence yet of a blame game that could hurt relations which have only just begun to improve. Instead, in public at least, mutual cooperation is being stressed and appreciated by both countries. Here it is important that America shares any relevant information it can gather so that law-enforcement agencies in Pakistan can play their due role. If the US has evidence of a Taliban-Waziristan link, it should be made public as soon as the inquiry deems it fit. Otherwise, an impression may be created that Washington is using the Times Square plot to pressurise the Pakistan Army into making an all-out assault on North Waziristan.
Our troops are overstretched as it is and not yet ready for an operation of that magnitude. It probably will come eventually but rushing into the theatre of battle without adequate planning and logistical back-up will not serve the desired purpose. Pitched battles are being fought against homegrown militants and the designs of some neighbours also remain suspect in the eyes of the security apparatus. Pakistan must do all it can to counter militancy and terrorism but making it feel hemmed in can be counter-productive.
Mohammed Abbasi 