Military action required
Air (R) Marshal Ayaz A Khan
After ten terrorist attacks in one week on six vital institutions, and
four suicide bombings with heavy loss of life the government has
directed General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, the Chief of Army Staff to crush
the Taliban renegades operating from Wazirstan. Terrorist attacks one
after another implied TTP aim to destabilize and destroy Pakistan. Five
days after the attack on GHQ Rawalpindi, FIA HQ, Manawan Police Center
and Elite Police HQ were attacked simultaneously. About two hundred
people including 57 Army and police personnel were killed.
Tehrik-Taliban-Pakistan claimed responsibility, but there is a stamp of
Punjabi Taliban on the terrorist attacks on GHQ, UN World Food Programme
Office, FIA HQ’s,Elite Police Headquaters and Munawan Police Training
Center. TTP has claimed responsilility for all other bombings, including
the suicide bombings at Soekarno Chowk Peshawar, Kohat Road Police
Station and Shangla . How can TTP Talibans from Wazirstan justify
massacre of fellow Pathan’s?. The terrorists have become reckless
because they have not faced firing squads, and have not been hanged and
executed publically, as would happen to them in Islamic countries under
the Sharia law. Deterrent punishment is the remedy for such horrific
criminality, and military action is in order. The Taliban have gone
beserk, and must be eliminated.
The terrorist attack on GHQ shocked the nation.. Ten Laskar-e-Jhangavi
terrorists, led by Sepoy (retd) Mohammad Aquil alias Dr. Usman tried to
enter the main GHQ gate in a white Suzuki pickup loaded with weapons and
explosives. They fired and lobbed grenades. After twenty hours of
firefight, eight terrorists were killed. Their method of attack and the
twenty hours of firefight, that followed was reflective of determination
to kill and take hostages.
In the attack on GHQ the terrorists wore Army uniform. For attacks on
Police institutions in Lahore they were dressed in militia uniforms. The
terrorists had prior knowledge of the vulnerabilities of GHQ security,
and loopholes of security at the three police establishments, two of
which were attacked for the second time. In the gun and grenade attack
six Pakistani Army personnel including Brigadier Anwar and Lt Colonel
Waseem were killed. In the return fire at the second GHQ gate four
terrorists were killed. Another four were killed by Pak Commandoes.
Mohammad Aquil alias Dr Usman was injured. 45 Army personnel including
civilians taken hostage were freed after twenty hours of firefight.
People are furious about terrorist attack on GHQ, the citadel of nations
defence, and fully support the nations military to take necessary
action.
Instead of the outdated security by sentries, GHQ’s perimeter defense
should have been technologically advanced , with sensors and cameras to
detect weapons and explosives hidden in vehicles. Instead of barbed wire
fence, explosive proof concrete wall like that of Marriot Hotel
Islamabad be immediately constructed round GHQ, and round all high value
vital installations. GHQ in the heart of Rawalpindi is highly
vulnerable. Poor intelligence, lack of vision, absence of visualization,
and smugness are some of the factors, which made it possible for
terrorists from south Punjab, to execute the terrorist attacks. It is
common knowledge that Bhawalpur, Multan, Dera Ghazi Divisions and
Mianwali district in Southern Punjab and Dera Ismail Khan are the
hotbeds of terrorists .
Reports of the presence of Lashkar-e-Jhangavi, Jaish Mohammad,
Lashkar-e-Tayyaba militants and their movements to and from Waziristan
have been rife since some time. It was known to ISI, Army Intelligence,
Intelligence Bureau and Punjab Police that militants from South Punjab
are being trained by the Taliban in Wazirstan, and were being launched
for suicide bombings and terrorist attacks in cities including
Islamabad, Lahore and Rawalpindi.. What steps I.S.I, Military
Intelligence, Military Police, I.B, Punjab government and Punjab Police
have taken to stop them. It is a mater of regret that either these
agencies are clueless, or their findings and advice is disregarded by
the authorities. The statement by Mr Sanaullah the law minister of
Punjab that no action is planned to weed out terrorists from South
Punjab is awastonishing. Either way the country and the people are
paying a high price for ignorance and neglect..
The intelligence agencies and the police had no knowledge that the
terrorists had rented houses in Sihala, Chakri and elsewhere for dumping
uniforms, munitions and explosives to attack GHQ and take Pakistan Army
senior officers hostage. Weapons, detonators, army uniforms, badges,
shoes and maps were recovered by Capitol Police on a random tip off. The
storming of GHQ in a pre-emptive assault failed because of the bravery
of the sentries and valor of Army commandoes. It was a close call. Had
the terrorists planned to blow up GHQ with explosive packed van, the
consequences would have been horrific. An extensive net work of
conspirators, enemy agents, explosive experts, traitors and terrorists
behind these demonic plans must be unearthed.. According to DG ISPR,
“Pakistan Army had prior information of the terrorist attack, and had
made security arrangements accordingly. Army had the intercept of TTP
Commander Wali-ur-Rehman “to pray for the success of the fadayeen attack
on GHQ”. But the concerned agency despite prior information could not
avert the deadly attack.
The military has a plan to demolish and destroy terrorist network and
hide outs in Waziristan. After Rah-e-Rast, redeployment and buildup of
troops, equipment and munitions hopefully has been completed. Terrorists
struck at vital establishments and public places to stall and sabotage
Army’s plan for the expected offensive. The softening operations must be
conducted with greater vigor. The military must strike with strength and
caution to subdue and defeat the rebels without collateral damage.
Fearing Army action Tribesmen by the thousands have already left their
homes, and need to be taken care of by the provincial government and
NGO’s. Installments of American grants under the Kerry Lugar Bill must
be spent on the welfare of the uprooted tribesmen.
Like the military the Government of Punjab, and Punjab Police must
formulate operational plans to identify and smash terrorist and
extremist groups. Security of vital establishments must be reviewed and
updated on modern lines. Because of the shortage of police personnel,
Awami Lashkars from local youth be recruited to apprehend criminals,
terrorists and extremists. Governor Punjab and the Chief Minister must
work together for the purpose. Media must play its role to educate the
masses against the menace of anti-state militancy, extremism and
violence. Pakistani’s are patriotic people and will not allow terrorists
to highjack Pakistan. Our prayers are with the Pakistan armed forces and
the police, who are sacrificing their lives to save Pakistan. |
