A RECENT news story (Jan 29) narrated that an attempt to blow up a railway track between Islamabad and Lahore near Jhelum was foiled when a terrorist blew himself up after he had been challenged by motorway police personnel.

What is amazing about this story is that a shepherd grazing his herd confronted the suspect with questions relating to his whereabouts. Upon not getting a satisfactory answer, he called the motorway police, who were patrolling the area.

The police, on arrival, opened fire and asked the man to surrender. Unable to escape, he blew himself up. Thirteen handgrenades, 13 detonators, a Kalashnikov, three pistols, a safety fuse and a remote control were found in the terrorist’s vehicle.

Owing to the presence of mind of this man massive destruction was avoided. A shepherd is a poor man, who works hard all day long and whatever he earns, is bare minimum to fulfil his basic needs. Despite this, he did not ignore his basic responsibility of being a Pakistani citizen and promptly informed the authorities.

This story is a lesson for the better educated class to be aware of their surroundings and to inform the authorities of any suspicious activity taking place around them. In today’s times when an evil like suicide bombing has penetrated our society to an extent where we all feel helpless, we need to stand up and support the government. We as citizens have a duty of safeguarding people who live around us.

Afifa Adeel

Karachi

Published in Dawn, February 11th, 2016