The court martial proceeding against the third serving officer of Pakistan Navy for alleged negligence in the Mehran naval base attack has been initiated while the hearings of two other officers have been completed, Pakistan Today has learnt.
Reliable sources told Pakistan Today that Pakistan Navy had initiated court martial against its three serving officers for showing negligence, allowing terrorists to strike at the PNS Mehran.
“Three officers are facing court martial including PNS Mehran Commanding Officer Captain Israr, Naval Aviation Commander Commodore Raja Tahir and Mehran base Chief Security Officer Lieutenant Commander Abrar,” they said.
“The tribunal started hearing the case of Commodore Tahir on Monday while the hearing of cases of other two officers, Israr and Abrar, has been completed,” the sources said.
The navy has formed a five-member tribunal, headed by a commodore, for hearing their cases.
The court martial was recommended by a Pakistan Navy investigation board that was formed a few days after the naval base attack.
“It may take another month before the tribunal delivers the verdict of the court marshal proceedings,” the sources added.
The officers under investigation have been questioned about their responsibilities and the lapse in the security system that allowed the attack on the Mehran base, the sources said.
The investigation tribunal headed By Commander Tehseenullah had stated that due to the negligence of these three navy officers, the attack on the PNS Mehran was made possible.
The sources also said the attackers had come to the naval base from the side of Pakistan Air Force (PAF)’s Faisal Base. “But despite the passage of seven months, no investigation has been ordered by the air force authorities.”
The Pakistan Navy is also trying to convince the air force officials to conduct an inquiry that will help them clear any confusion, the sources said. “As PNS Mehran is situated within the jurisdiction of PAF Faisal Base, some serving air force officers should also be held accountable for their negligence [in allowing the terrorists to infiltrate into the naval base].”
“However, since no investigation has been undertaken by the PAF high-ups, it is making things difficult for the investigation tribunal,” the sources claimed.
