Very soon, if serious and positive action is not taken, we will be hit by a tornado inflicting severe damage to the existence of our country. While some of us enveloped in ‘denial sheaths’ were busy organizing ‘dharnas’ protesting the OBL incident, those conspiring to debilitate Pakistan were rampant in attacking our very core. Following the massive loss of life in Charsadda comes this onslaught on the naval airbase at Karachi.
In what is fast becoming another unresolved mystery in Pakistan’s armour, an audacious group of terrorists arrogantly attacked and took “partial” control of the premier combined air force and naval airbase in the very heart of Karachi. Coming in the wake of an expected post-OBL increase and government directives for enhanced surveillance and security measures, this attack has exposed the inherent flaws prevailing in the process.
The attack has hit an already shocked nation even harder than the Abbottabad event. It confirms without any doubt that this war is ours and no one else’s. Some circles have been trying hard to deny this fact despite all the evidence. One hopes this is the clincher that will put an end to that ridiculous notion and unite this country on the reality factor.
The official release on the event has been very weak. No one is ready to believe that this is not a security lapse. Nor is anyone willing to accept that this not part of a conspiracy that involves an “inside” factor. And that preposterous statement, “all naval assets are safe” needs strong condemnation. Are personnel, aircraft, installations and structures not assets? Is the violated security of the entire base, a very important asset that includes the entire air force southern command, not affected by this breach? So let’s be absolutely clear, assets have been compromised.
An unknown number of attackers, some say four, killed ten and injured fifteen during an operation lasting sixteen to seventeen hours. It is worrying that despite deployment of air cover, elite commandos, security personnel and civil armed forces, not one attacker was captured. Two apparently even escaped according to reports. One paper has also reported that even the bus evacuating foreign personnel from the base was attacked and riddled with bullet holes.
The numbers of questions this raises are uncountable. What is most important though is the level of readiness and the delayed response time. This begins to affect the invincibility of our forces. And when a retired senior uniformed officer goes on television and says that the attackers had planned better than the forces, it sends shock waves down our spines.
Why does this happen repeatedly is a question doing the rounds right now. The answer does not need any special intellectual input. It is simply because we have historically not taken punitive decisions tough enough to send a loud and clear message. There have been numerous serious incidents involving security forces that include two attempts on the life of the current head of state at the time. Whereas one cannot say there have not been investigations and enquiries, the results have been wanting.
Current action pending investigations needs to be positively acknowledged; however considering the proximity of the base to the air force base, it is hoped that the enquiry encompasses the overall security of the base and not just the naval end of it. Of course shrouded in secrecy and security as internal issues within the forces are, we will probably just get a whiff of it in due course. One can only hope that the people of Pakistan are given a clear and transparent rendition of this outrageous event when findings are available. This will enhance the reputation of forces and remove any doubts creeping in.
It goes without saying that the hitherto cautious rumbles hinting at infiltration within the forces are now becoming a loud growl. There is an immediate need to profile those serving the nation. While one acknowledges the immense service rendered to the nation and the devotion and dedication to the state by the majority, there is little denying that certain elements have succeeded in brainwashing a minority and it needs to be filtered immediately.
Internal security needs to move precisely and urgently to quell this storm before it spirals out of control. Action needs to be taken without any level of compromise. There are times in the life of a nation that require life-saving measures; that time has come for Pakistan. A decade of uninterrupted war has left the country wanting in many spheres. Faulty and self-serving reasoning has swayed actions and decisions. The nation comes first.
Despite dharnas and some preposterous dialogue by holier than thou participants and retired officials on television, the last few days have seen some pretty solid defences of Pakistan by television anchors and the majority of participants. Reality appears to be setting in finally that this is our war and that the storm is rising on our horizon. The majority will hold steadfast to defeat a tiny majority that is making a wild attempt to take us hostage. Pakistan Paindabad.
The writer can be contacted at [email protected]
