Showing a human concern for the young and innocent Rafiqullah who was forced by the Taliban elements to become a suicide bomber, the Afghanistan government pardoned him and his family was given financial help to get his life on track. He was arrested by the Afghan security forces for wearing a suicide vest. His mission was to target the Governer of Khost city.
Rafiqullah was a 14 year old from the tribal dominated South Waziristan regency of North West Frontier Province of Pakistan. From a poor family, he was sent by his parents to get education in a madrassa, but landed in the Taliban and Al Qaeda led terror web. Without informing his family, he was send across the Durand line and his tenderness was exploited by the terrorists to make him a human bomb.
The Rafiqullah episode is an eye opener of how the poor and under privileged children in Pakistan are used by radical preachers for terror activities. It also indicates madrassas or religious schools as terrorist recruiting camps for the Taliban and Al Qaeda. The incident also brings in to light the dwindling ranks of terrorists which forcing them to recruit vulnerable children suicide bombers.
By forgiving Rafiqullah, Afghanistan shows an inclination to pardon and rehabilitate those who are willing to leave Taliban insurgents and their al Qaeda allies and prefer peace to violence. It also sends a message to Pakistan to rein in its citizens recruited by the terror forces to ferment trouble in neighboring countries.
Via: CNN
