THE barbaric attack on Data Darbar reflects the mentality of terrorists. The attack on the Ahmedi community and the blasts at Hall Road also seem like a replay of what happened in Swat last year.

The Ahmedis were attacked for the simple reason that the minorities have always been a soft target and one can easily get away with hurting them, which is why the Taliban try to terrorise and persecute them. The persecution of the Sikh community in Swat is an example.

The attacks on Data Darbar are in line with Al Qaeda's ideology. That's the reason why the shrine of Rehman Baba in Peshawar was also blown up. For centuries Data Darbar has been a source of enlightenment and peaceful coexistence, something quite contrary to the Taliban ideology. It's time pluralistic traditions of Sufism were promoted to stop the growing trends of Talibanisation in Lahore.

AMMAR ZAFARULLAH
Islamabad

(II)

WE as a nation are in danger. Continuous efforts are being made by an unknown force to turn us into a fragmented society. This unknown force, be it the non-state actors or the intelligence agencies of our enemies, has again made us mourn the death of more than 40 people (in the Data Darbar attack). However, this also raises the question are we, to a certain degree, responsible for all of this?

The Data Darbar incident shouldn't have happened in the first place because there were intelligence reports of a possible suicide attack and ways to forestall it were also discussed at a high - level meeting. If we had acted more responsibly, our people could have avoided going to the darbar just for one day.

We are in a big mess, perhaps created by ourselves. The media should also act responsibly because when the initial blast took place it was reported that it's a low intensity explosion and there's no need to panic. But then the other two blasts happened, killing 45 people and injuring dozens.

I hope and pray that all of us act in a responsible manner and avoid unnecessary religious zeal.

ZULFIQAR HAIDER
Islamabad

(III)

THE wounds of the attack on the Ahmedi community in Lahore were still fresh and one was waiting for them to heal up, but then the sad incident at Data Darbar happened, taking 45 precious lives and injuring countless others.

I strongly believe that this is a plot made by the militants to create rifts amongst the different sects of Muslims. It is an attempt to start sectarian violence. The extremists have lost the war on terror due to successful operations conducted by the Pakistan army with the help of the public.

As one last attempt to carry on with their sick campaign, the militants want the public to be divided on the basis of religion. There can be more attempts like this in the future.

The nation needs to understand that the common man would never want such incidents to take place. Let us stay united and show the terrorists that such efforts may hurt us temporarily but we will never be completely bogged down.

RASHID SALEEM
Islamabad