Turkish tragedy
The bombs which were exploded in Istanbul on Tuesday night could have gone off at any airport in any city around the world. For terrorists know no borders, countries or cities
Turkey has been rocked by a string of terror attacks over the past few months as it weathers bombing campaigns by ISIS and Kurdish militants. Yet, once again last Tuesday three terrorists armed with bombs and guns killed at least 41 people while injuring many at Istanbuls Ataturk Airport. Ranked as the 11th busiest in the world with 61.8 million passengers the airport was often branded as one of the most secured airports in the world. But it is no longer secured. The fact, however, is no country can guarantee any airport safe and secured with absolute certainty. The attack on Istanbul Ataturk Airport, despicable as it is, is a sheer act of violence. Our deepest condolences go out to the families and loved ones of those killed and injured.
Just a little over three months ago terrorists had inflicted coordinated nail bombings at the Belgian airport at Brussels and now with equal precision at the airport in Turkey. Both attacks clearly are signs of terrorists international connections and strategic changes in patterns of terror strikes. Moreover, the bombs which were exploded in Istanbul on Tuesday night could have gone off at any airport in any city around the world. For terrorists know no borders, countries or cities.
No one can foretell which airport in which country is the next in line. Though there was no immediate claim of responsibility but it is assumed the attack was carried out by the Islamic State and with the IS fast losing control of many of its military bastions in Iraq, is getting more recklessly violent in the recent days. The attack is also a sign of cowardly desperation to prop up and spread fear.
Nevertheless, airport authorities all across the globe, including Bangladesh, should immediately take up extraordinary measures for deterring terror attacks and nullify potential threats through exchange of intelligence information. Well coordinated global joint security initiatives can surely be an effective approach for preventing sudden terror strikes on communications infrastructures and others. Moreover, we have vigilantly noticed that four key aspects of terrorist organisations have been enhanced with regard to their evil acts of horror. These are their enhanced tactical logistics, increased bomb-making prowess, greater elusiveness and availability of safer havens. Strategies should be formulated and implemented the quickest for stopping their advancement in these areas.
Despite the sudden shocks we expect last Tuesdays attacks would only unite the people of Turkey more to strengthen their resolve to defeat the forces of terrorism and radical jihadism in that country. Inflicting terror strikes, not only in airports but in any public or private establishments for that matter, is unforgivable and we believe the Turkish government would be able to deliver a fitting response to such cowardly act carried out Tuesday.
