Tensions Rising in South Asia
By: Bruce Riedel The suicide bomber who killed dozens near the Wagah crossing probably intended to blow himself up at the beating retreat ceremony, where he could have killed even more innocents. The attack is the latest indicator that the terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan is audacious and wants to create a crisis between the two nuclear-weapons states in South Asia. The Wagah crossing exemplifies both Indo-Pakistani competition — through the stylised ceremony at closing time — and cooperation — it is the only road crossing between the two countries. By striking at Wagah, a terror group would put New Delhi and Islamabad on a collision course. Prime Minister Narendra Modi would undoubtedly have called on Pakistan to crack down on terror infrastructure, including groups patronised by the Pakistan army, like the Lashkar-e-Taiba and the Jaish-e-Mohammad. So far, three groups have claimed credit for the attack; all have links to al-Qaeda. Fortunately, the Pakistan ...