There are certain disquieting features that the arrests indicate. The explosive devices that have been found in their possession, as well as the remarks of a senior member of the RAB made while commenting on the captured explosive devices, show they were going for targets like motor vehicles etc. This seems to confirm the account of a JMB operative interviewed by a local television channel not very long ago that the extremists were being trained to carry out car bombings. This is not to sound alarmist but to suggest that there is no alternative to constant vigilance, by the law enforcing agencies as well as the people.

There are reports also that the cadres have infiltrated inside some organisations and work places like the NGOs in order to carry out attacks against them. This is exactly how the militants operate, keeping sleepers-cells at strategic places to go into operation at the most opportune time on the instruction of their masters. In such circumstances there is need for the law enforcing agencies to be provided with actionable intelligence that will help forestall the militants. And that requires the active support of the public who must be made aware of the tell-tale signs to lookout for.

The recent arrest shows that there is absolutely no scope to let down our guard. We want that militant groups like the JMB are fully quashed and their sponsors and sympathisers identified to divest them of the funds and motivation. And this demands that the counter-terrorist campaign be conducted in a holistic manner involving the people also. At the same time the relevant agencies must not lose sight of the anti-terrorism aspect that must address the reasons why and how these groups managed to induct a fairly large number into their ranks in the first place.