Given the nature of the war that is being fought in Pakistan, civilians have been falling victim in their hundreds to the violence. Public revulsion and anger are naturally directed at the militants who have been deliberately targeting civilians as their strategy entails brutish strikes in which unarmed men, women and children die.

They appear to have no qualms about attacking and killing people who are not even a party to the fighting. Hence the strong condemnation. That is how we see the bomb blast in Rawalpindi on Monday that left a number of people, mostly senior citizens, dead. Last week, a bomber struck in a busy Peshawar market killing more than 100 people — mainly women and children. October saw 22 blasts in various places that took almost 300 lives. No words are enough to express the horror and anguish that is felt at this senseless loss of human life. The Taliban are feeling trapped by the army operation in South Waziristan and are consequently retaliating by targeting vulnerable areas that naturally comprise civilians.

Their strategy is flawed. Every attack — even though it causes panic and mayhem — can only strengthen the common man’s resolve to ward off terrorism. Moreover, it makes the militants and their ideology even more unpopular which means their methods are backfiring as they continue to lose any support they may have had from the people. While the Taliban’s strategy will get them nowhere in terms of public support, it is important that the government persists in its efforts to strengthen security in public places, enhance the quality and reach of its intelligence-gathering and provide guidelines to people on how to secure themselves. It would also help if the operation in Waziristan is not allowed to drift on because a protracted war will invite further attacks from the militants.