Revelations by investigators that foreign forces might have been at play in the July 1 Gulshan Attack are a definite move in the right direction.
Until now, the insistence by relevant authorities — and the government as a whole — that this was the work of domestic actors alone, with no connections to transnational terror networks, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, has not been helpful in the fight against terrorism.
When lives are stake, politics should take a backseat.
With the names of those who orchestrated the attack coming forth, it is hoped that we will get a better understanding of what led to the attacks, and how we can stop them from happening in the future.
If, as the authorities insist, this was a co-ordinated attack involving JMB, the Hizb ut-Tahrir, Ansarullah, and the Islamic State, among others, then it is especially important to realise that investigation is the key and that it is conducted with the utmost diligence and neutrality.
We must go where the evidence leads us and have no pre-conceptions or preferences in terms of finding the perpetrators.
And if it is found that transnational terrorist groups are involved, and that domestic political parties are not, as evidence would suggest, we trust that the authorities will follow that route of investigation, and not let any other agenda get in the way of bringing security back to our nation.
Blaming the usual suspects instead of working diligently to track down new leads, in the midst of what can only be deemed a national crisis, would be a fatal move, not just in terms of the potential loss of lives, but for the confidence building and public trust that is so crucial at this moment.
As important as tracking down terrorists and preventing future attacks is, the government and law enforcement must also work hard to restore the confidence and sense of security of a shaken nation.
Nothing would do both the government and the nation more good than this.
Source: New Age