The terror attack in London yesterday as commuters headed to work on the Tube once again brings to the fore the huge challenges facing the government in preventing such attacks, and secondly, it shows the tenacity of terrorists in spreading terror in a great city which has been a model of multiculturalism and harmony. At least 29 people were injured after a bomb exploded at the Parsons Green underground station in the west of London. A huge tragedy was averted as the bomb apparently failed to fully explode.
The police have launched a massive hunt for the culprits and though the investigations is going on, there is no doubt that this is the work of terrorists. World leaders condemned the attack and offered their support in the fight against terrorism. Qatar too strongly condemned the attack and the Foreign Ministry stressed Qatar’s full solidarity with the British government and its support for all measures taken to maintain security.
This is Britain’s fifth major terrorism incident since March, when a man mowed down pedestrians and stabbed a police officer outside the British parliament. The police have been on high alert and security was beefed up after these attacks, but terrorists always find a way to sow terror. But Londoners and the government have always reacted with caution and have worked unitedly to defeat the work of terrorists to divide people and create fear. Perhaps it’s this unity and harmony which is prompting terrorists to try again.
Unfortunately, instead of trying to heal wounds, US President Donald Trump has used the London attack to divide people and promote his personal and political agenda and ratchet up Islamophobia. “Another attack in London by a loser terrorist,” Trump tweeted, hours after the improvised explosive device detonated.”These are sick and demented people who were in the sights of Scotland Yard. Must be proactive!” he added, angering Britain. This was seen as an attempt to reveal undisclosed intelligence from the headquarters of London’s Metropolitan police force. British Prime Minister Theresa May rebuked Trump for his unhelpful and unwarranted comments. “I never think it’s helpful for anybody to speculate on what is an ongoing investigation,” May told journalists. Nick Timothy, May’s former chief of staff, also called the President’s tweet “unhelpful.”
Trump also used the attack to promote the travel ban he has imposed on residents of six Muslim-majority countries.
There is no easy solution to terrorism. Like the rest of the world, Britain will have to continue, more rigorously, its fight against terrorism and take all measures to thwart their attempts to kill people and sow disunity. Londoners too must preserve their unity and harmony and not fall prey to the machinations of terrorists.
