This is with reference to the report “Terror attack foiled in Saihat; gunman killed” (Oct. 17). According to the report, the deceased assailant was in his 20s. It has been widely reported that the deviant groups active in the region are targeting youngsters to achieve their goals. The youngsters are more vulnerable to the propaganda techniques used by groups like Daesh and Al-Qaeda. The current situation calls for waging an intellectual battle against these terrorist groups. These groups quote verses from the Qur’an out of their proper contexts to lure youngsters into their fold. The responsibility of religious scholars, teachers, parents and other members of the society has increased manifold to prevent our youth from going astray in the name of religion.

It is an uphill task, which needs to be taken very seriously and cautiously. Of course, we cannot turn our societies into open-air jails but with an effective mechanism of checks and balances, the situation can be controlled. It may take some time but it is not at all impossible. The youngsters should be educated about the true essence of Islam. Groups like Daesh, Al-Qaeda, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Boko Haram are only using the name of religion to promote their diabolical designs. In the wake of these attacks, another aspect that has come to the fore is our ignorance of the basic principles of Islam. This is a big reason to worry. Our youngsters need proper Islamic education that can help them differentiate between right and wrong. Had men like the one killed in Saihat been properly educated about Islam, they would have never fallen prey to the deviant ideology that is wreaking havoc in the Muslim world.