Russia attack: Was it ISIS?

Russia is no stranger to terrorism. Terror-related incidents were often linked to the political climate in Russia’s Islamic territories that were seeking to gain independence after the collapse of the USSR. But this appears not to have been the case of late. Perhaps this is why there seems to be a degree of ambiguity among Russian investigators on the shade of the extremists responsible for the attack on the metro train service in St. Petersburg on Monday, in which about a dozen people were killed and dozens more injured.

The police, however, spoke of an Islamic suicide bomber being involved. No group has claimed responsibility. In light of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s active international involvement in Syria against ISIS fighters — in which fight the Russians have stolen a march over Western governments — it should be no surprise if the attack is traced to elements linked to Islamic State or Daesh. At least, this may be a plausible hypothesis that the Russian authorities may be working on.

If it is indeed Daesh, Moscow’s diplomatic engagement with Beijing and Islamabad may be stepped up to obtain the backing of the Taliban to ward off the perceived threat from Islamic State. Tehran may also perk up in that event. That might leave New Delhi’s field of action, and indeed that of Washington, somewhat uncharted.

How big a threat Daesh actually is in the AfPak theatre is not wholly clear, but non-Western powers appear to be taking it seriously. Sooner or later, New Delhi too will have to develop an appropriate response.