The dastardly Manchester terror attack has once again confirmed the Western world’s susceptibility to terror. United States, France, England, Germany, Spain Belgium — have all been witness to brutal terror attacks over the years. The Manchester suicidal bombing was the worst terror act on London after the infamous 7/7 which had targeted the civilians through the public transport system leaving more than fifty dead and seven hundred injured. The recent March 22 Westminister pedestrian mowing down by Khalid Masood is fresh in memory. The parliament attack was averted in the nick of time thanks to the security protocol.
And, Prime Minister Theresa May, who had upped the security perception to “severe” as Home Secretary has now raised it to a “critical” level. A European with Libyan background, is said to have acted as a “suicide bomber” at Manchester. There is no confusion on the fact that the bomber could not have carried out the attack without being part of a large co-ordinated network which means home-bred terror, with active outside support, is running amok in every nook and corner of the world.
The sporadic terror attacks across the world reveal a sinister plan of deviated minds hell-bent on infusing fear among the people. An unbridled state-of-the art technology and techniques, free internet access and “expert trainers” have made the job of the slayers of human beings all the more easy. Their single-minded pursuit to kill people and spread anguish, by readily risking their lives, is what makes their acts difficult to anticipate and apprehend despite the best of security measures.
However, what they construe as an act of bravado is instead nothing more than plain cowardice because of their loathness to a direct confrontation with the authorities.
That the terror tentacles have transcended national and regional barriers should propel the world leaders to sit up and take notice before its too late. While it is true that no amount of lip-service or investments on security may end the burgeoning terror menace it is equally true that the terror perpetrators’ aim to strike at the ethos of the society may only endanger the latter. By no means can such attacks permanently crush peace, brotherhood and tranquillity prevailing in the society and among the countries.
