More questions than answers
The daylight killing of two MPs in one of Karachi’s busiest areas shows how easy it is for the enemy to strike and disappear and, therefore, how difficult and demanding the Karachi Operation must be. Such reprisal attacks were expected since Zarb-e-Azb decimated the terrorist sanctuary in the tribal area. And while urban warfare is obviously different from the more brutal fighting in the badlands, and security personnel and installations have long been on high-alert, more clearly needs to be done as the fighting inevitably moves down from the north to bigger, more densely populated cities in Punjab and Sindh especially.
According to press reports, forensic evidence has found a match in weapons used in this and pervious attacks in Karachi. That means that at least one particular outfit continues to operate successfully. As the investigation continues, such facts will bring numerous intelligence and security agencies under the microscope. The war against terror will naturally become more intel-intensive as it comes to the main cities. Now, after this attack, the Karachi Operation will no doubt intensify. Law enforcement agencies, especially police, have lost hundreds of men to fighting in Karachi alone.
An integral part of the National Action Plan (NAP) was integrating numerous intelligence agencies, particularly in terms of intelligence sharing. Information is the most prized commodity in such warfare. And operations like suicide attacks and targeted killings involve long planning and logistic chains. If agencies share information, they are more likely to pick up chatter and substantiate their findings. Soon the Peshawar attack’s first anniversary will be upon us. And not many in the official hierarchy will be able to deflect criticism about going soft on NAP. It is for the government, ultimately, to ensure that the security apparatus works. It must ensure that the Plan, agreed with such passion almost a year ago, finally starts working.
