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April 16, 2016: Bombing at Sikh temple in Germany

On April 16, 2016 two teenaged Islamist terrorists carried out an explosion in a Sikh temple in the German city of Essen that wounded three people.

ESSEN, GERMANY – Terrorists really don’t have any limitations where they choose to attack, do they?

I have always found it interesting to ponder what terrorists choose to target. Do they go for the easy win (a crowded marketplace where detection and security are all but impossible)? Or do they go for gold, hoping to carry off the ‘big’ one despite overwhelming odds (attacking a heavily defended military base for example)?

Does it matter? Isn’t terrorism ‘terrorism’ irrespective of the target? As long as the attack is successful and gets appropriate media coverage is this not a ‘win’ for them?

So, what about a wedding ceremony? Does that exemplify ‘courage’?

On this day in 2016

Two teenaged Islamist terrorists carried out an explosion in a Sikh temple in the German city of Essen that wounded three people. The victims were members of a wedding party that had held a ceremony earlier at the temple. Luckily by the time of the assault most people had already left the building.

I find it shocking that people who grew up among us are in a position and willing to build bombs and risk the lives of others.

Interior Minister of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Ralf Jäger

I’ve been to lots of weddings and terrorist attacks have never been at the top of anyone’s agenda. I guess these terrorists were counting on that.

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By Phil Gurski

Phil Gurski is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. Phil is a 32-year veteran of CSE and CSIS and the author of six books on terrorism.

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