The scourge of extremism has penetrated into the socio-fabric of society. Extremism and terrorism has wreaked havoc upon socio-political, economic prosperity and national cohesion. It has claimed hundred and thousands of precious lives of civilians, police and armed forces. Religious and political extremism creates uncertainty, skepticism, hatred and jingoism in society. The upsurge of religious and ethnic extremism and the concomitant predominance of violence and militancy have caused considerable mayhem and distress all over the world.

The extremist has developed a thought pattern that has convinced them that fear and violence are legitimate to harness ideological and social transformation

The adoption of extreme views and resort to violent means to express the resentment and misgiving is described as violent extremism. The extremist has developed a thought pattern that has convinced them that fear and violence are legitimate to harness ideological and social transformation and so they adhere to violent activities to further their vested interests. Community policing is a pro-active measure, focusing on effective collaboration between LEAs and respective community to identify, prevent, prohibit, rehabilitate and strategies to occlude recidivism. Moreover, the more community is powerful, the more it is capable of handling radicalization in society.

The utilization of Kinetic measures is infructuous in the elimination of nefarious militant elements from society

Pakistan is on the forefront in fighting against extremism and terrorism.  The non-state actors are active in fueling unrest in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Both provinces are facing the brunt of insurgency and militancy. The recent train-jacking in Balochistan by Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) is a horrendous terrorist incident which has compelled the security forces to think about adoption of hard policy and kinetic measure to smash the outlawed militant militias in Balochistan. Likewise Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and its affiliated groups are wreaking havoc in Khyber Pakhtoon Khawa(KPK). However, the utilization of Kinetic measures is infructuous in the elimination of nefarious militant elements from society, despite the fact that thousands of precious lives have been sacrificed in the quest of preserving peace and stability in society.

The family of militants and society at large plays a pivotal role in the sustained reformation of extremists

Community policing and neighborhood policing are two different but interlinked concepts, which identify the need for the police to work with the communities that they policed. Public support is essential to effectively combat extremism and terrorism. Community participation includes consultative groups, crime prevention and detection, exhibition and support activities, victim support schemes, juvenile’s schemes, interaction with public representatives, business community in order to help the distressed people of society through the effective and cost-effective involvement of notable community members. The family of militants and society at large plays a pivotal role in the sustained reformation of extremists. The stakeholders should know the radicalization process as first comes the ideological engagement, then the individual becomes radicalized, then some sort of event becomes a catalyst that results in a terrorist act. However, Counter Violent Extremism can be defined as Proactive actions to counter efforts by extremists to recruit, radicalize, and mobilize followers to violence.

Community policing is predominantly based on preventive and proactive policing

Neighborhood policing is essentially geographically based and its functionality is restricted to territorial and political boundaries, the term acknowledges that several communities may exist within a geographical area. Community policing is the delivery style that predominantly relies on the police understanding and response to each community, building trust, identification of symptoms of radicalization, engagement of local leaders, widespread education, enlightenment, involvement of youth and rehabilitation of strayed terrorist elements  within a geographical neighborhood. Moreover, human resource of intelligence can be augmented with the active involvement of civil society. Enhanced and fostered trusting partnership with community will definitely build resilience against violent extremism. Community policing is predominantly based on preventive and proactive policing. The effective public-Police partnership helps in addressing the diverse issues of public nuisance. Besides handling criminal issues, it strengthens civic engagement, enhances community awareness about issues and creates understanding about organized asymmetric nature of crimes.

Hate, racial prejudice and discriminatory practices are paramount in infusing a sense of injustice

According to the Signal crime analysis regarding insecurity indicators and panic drivers in the Muslim communities there are three significant signal crimes such as drug problems, burglary and provocative hate crimes. Hate, racial prejudice and discriminatory practices are paramount in infusing a sense of injustice, insecurity and pushing individuals toward the malady of radicalization. Forging partnerships with public and private community stakeholders, socializing with residents and community leaders, sharing information, and investigating reports of suspicious or unusual behavior are all components of community policing that are easily accommodative to prevent terrorism and combat violent extremism

Pakistani society has exhibited unprecedented bravery, will and capacity to counter extremism 

The Pakistani society is very much resilient, resolute and brave on the front of combating violent extremism. The menace of militancy, extremism and terrorism has engulfed Pakistan and the smoke screen has started to shed off through the hard military measures. Pakistani society has exhibited unprecedented bravery, will and capacity to counter extremism and obscurantism by devising indigenous rehabilitation frameworks and propagating counter narrative in the accepted vernacular to yield magnificent results.

“Prevent policing develops community trust”

The exhaustive and elaborative study reflects that Pakistan’s civil society is vibrant on five major levels. Firstly, the respectable and community leaders glorified the dynamics of peace, prosperity and the social cohesiveness according to indigenous framework that echo in the Urban and local areas. Secondly, the pamphlets and public awareness campaigns held to educate the public and community about the existing and impending threat of extremism. Thirdly, the legitimacy of the extremist messages was challenged through traditional and faith-based enlightened religious organizations and help in correction at ideological level. Fourthly, the terrorist’s attacks on innocent civilians were challenged as inhuman and dubbed as act of violence against humanity through the good offices cultural and faith-based organizations. Fifthly, the funding to terrorists was chocked and community based organization denounced their act of violence, cause awareness in public to avoid donation to such trusts whose credentials are doubtful. Communities exist within geographical neighborhoods, as interest groups, as political parties, as religious communities, as ethnic groupings, as business communities and many more. “Prevent policing develops community trust”.

Neighborhood policing can combat extremism if state is presented as reasonable and fair through its actions by solving the problems identified by community. With the effective and wholesome engagement of community, the confidence can be established on firm footing. With this, more intelligence will be available and the result of that engagement will promote cohesion and help in combating extremism. Communities, Extremism and extreme communities have always existed and are likely to continue to exist. Therefore, the existence of terrorism happens to continue: One of the depressing legacies of the history of terrorism is that is always likely to be with us.

There is a dire need to re-evaluate the indomitable 20 points of the National Action Plan and firm implementation of National Internal Security Policy 

There is a dire need to re-evaluate the indomitable 20 points of the National Action Plan and firm implementation of National Internal Security Policy to reign in the monster of extremism and militancy in society. Revamping and reforming the criminal justice system requires to be done wholeheartedly. Political reconciliation of all stakeholders in Balochistan will prove to be like last nail in the coffin of extremism. Militant outfits and armed Gangs should be straitjacketed to inhibit their nefarious activities. Fighting against extremism requires whole of society approach. Undoubtedly, the grievances of Baloch people need to be taken into account for the formulation of better policy which brings peace, coherence, national integration and solidarity in larger province of Balochistan. The state should take into account the drivers which become cause of fomenting fissiparous, violent and separatist tendencies. Community policing promotes dialogue and inclusivity among members of society.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not represent the views, beliefs, or policies of the Stratheia.