Another Scar: Terrorist attack on Pakistan, conspiracy theories, role of India and US

The 18 hour long terrorist attack on the PNS Mehran airbase in Karachi leading to the loss of 2 Orion P-3C aircrafts, each valuing $36m is a jeopardising blow for Pakistan, especially after the Abbottabad raid of Osama bin Laden. The inferno not only proves to be a damage to installations and assets but it questions about security, safety and once again, death.

‘Attacks on symbols of defence and security create more panic as they convey a vivid impression that what about the common man if our defenders are unable to protect themselves.’ comments Pakistan Observer.

‘India’s Hand?’

One of the Pakistani newspapers have stated the utter dislike which India has for PC3 Orions and has already shot down one over the Rann of Kutch during a huge fight.  Also, the Orions are equipped with  Harpoon anti-missiles, which are a great challenge to India.

Though, Dawn reports that the Pakistani Taliban has confirmed their hand in this attack, once again, stating it as a brutual revenge to Osama’s death.

‘Insider’s hand?’

Security analyst Imtiaz Gul has stated that it ‘looks like an insider’s job‘. Especially, the mere fact analysis of the methodical tactics involved. Discrepancies on how the Islamist fighters manage to gain access is another debatable question which haunts the Pakistan security, especially after the PFA was unable to detect American raid on 1st May.

‘ America’s role‘

The PC3 Orions were American surveillance planes. Army leader Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has stated that US Senator John Kerry confirmed that US was not interested in seizing Pakistani’s nuclear weapons.

General Ashfaq wants to enhance the morale and dispel the impression of incompetence by re-doubling the efforts against terrorism.

Meanwhile, Naval Chief Adm. Nauman Bashir is being criticised for stating that there was no security lapse.

Though, Pakistan’s ability to safeguard its own vital assets and nuclear installations is getting damaged.

‘Meanwhile, in India.’

In India, as the trial as Tahawwur Hussain Rana who was accussed of helping plan the terror attacks in Mumbai is getting judged in a Chicago court, the main prosecution protagonist Headley has confessed that he had help from Pakistan’s spy. He even testified, exposing the role of Pakistan’s ISI.

‘ Another scar’

Pakistan has witnessed innumerable atrocities. The first one, in this manslaughter was seen in 2007 when the commando base witnessed a suicide attack. Next was 2009 Rawalpindi on a mosque on 4th December where 5 armed suicide attackers hurled fire on around 150 worshipers. The recent attack was when Pakistani Taliban Tehrik-e-Taliban carried out two bomb attacks in the Frontier Constabulary located in Charsadda district.

The real questions?

There are two main questions which are involved in the entire Karachi attack. The first one deals with, who did it? Though, Taliban has once again confirmed but it does not seem possible for the organisation to carry on an attack like this without the aid of any foreign hand. Secondly, who ever did it, did it, but till when will the innocent people of Pakistan face the fear and ignominy?

‘Pakistan can take care of her problems’

The entire butchery reminds me what Dr. Zaid Hamed , the political commentator had once said. ‘The western media states that the more you believe in conspiracy theories, the lesser you believe in facts. If Pakistan questions their deception and lies, it makes her a conspiracy theorist.’

In his interview, he had stated how he was not against any country but the ideology that governs it. The fact that even many citizens can be hard core fanatic believers in their country’s policy or might be against it, builds a nation.

Ultimately, he had voiced. ‘Pakistan can take care of her problem. But the Pakistani people have been lied for the past 60 years.’

Undoubtedly, the intrusion into Pakistan’s politics is because of its ideology, it being a Muslim nuclear state the physical location and the geopolitics involved.

He ultimately states why Pakistan is unable to mend her ways. ‘Its because the Russian, Chinese, Indians, Israelis, Arabs, Iranians and Americans are so involved with what is happening in Pakistan.’

For a spectator like me, India has the Mumbai attacks to heal herself with, Pakistan recently had the Karachi attack, US had the World Trade Centre, Afghanistan and Iraq had their own soil being infiltrated by soldiers, the middle east has continuous bloodshed.

But ultimately, what humanity has, no one knows. Perhaps, it does not have anything left, anymore.

Photo Credit: From Reuters

Osama’s picture: why it should/ should not be released?

On February 21, 2002, the videotape ‘The Slaughter of Spy-Journalist, the Jew Daniel Pearl’ was released. Pearl was an American journalist, who was captured and beheaded by Al-Qaida.

And the entire world saw it.

Nine years later, US President Barack Obama, chooses to silence the entire world, by not letting history repeat itself.

Osama bin Laden, the leader of al-Qaida has been killed in a raid on Sunday in Abbottabad in Pakistan by the US navy SEAL.

Along with pertinent questions that why Osama’s body was buried at the sea, the White House is being bombarded with the demand of releasing the terrorist’s pictures.

In the first ever interview at ‘60 Minutes’ of CBS, President Obama states that the pictures are ‘graphic’ and ‘gruesome’. He also said that the release of the photos would cause incitement and can be used as a propaganda.

‘Biggest Mistake’

US Senator Lindsey Graham states that this decision is the biggest mistake being committed by the White House.

He states that the entire mission of the raid was to get proof and evidence. If that was not the case, even aerial bombardment would have served the purpose.

Navanethem Pillay, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights voices that there is an immediate need to confirm full disclosure of accurate facts.

Michael Graham of Boston Herald blogs that one of the first things which Obama did after starting his presidentship was to show pictures of flag draped coffins of fallen soldeirs.

He also states that when Americans could see the pictures of innocent people dead on 9/11 attack, they deserve to see the dead body of the man who caused it.

Toby Harnden, the US Editor of Telegraph chooses to adopt a diplomatic stand in this controversy but called the current time as ‘extended amateur hour in the White House.’

‘As President likes it’

Jay Carney, the White House Spokesperson chose not to reveal the operation details during a press conference yesterday.

He said, ‘if the President says he is dead. He is dead.’

When asked if the families of 9/11 victims would be shown the pictures, at least, the spokesperson once again declined to accept the request.

‘Fake photo of Osama’

In the meanwhile, a fake photo showing Osama’s injured face has been released, turning viral online.

This photo was first printed on 29th April 2009 by the Middle East newspaper.

Also, the Pakistani media has revealed the pictures of other victims, supposedly Osama’s brother, who were also killed in the raid.

‘Is Osama’s death illegal?’

Osama’s 12 year daughter who saw the entire raid infront of her eyes has stated that her father was first captured and then killed. If that is the case, it would be a breach in international law.

Though, Geroge Little, CIA Spokesperson says that there is ‘no indication’ of such an occurence.

Andrea Prasow, spokesperson from Human Rights Watch stated that raid can not be judged lawful or unlawful until details are revealed.

‘Pakistan’s retort’

The Pakistani Government which as called the raid as ‘intrusion into their sovereignity’ has stated that US would not be allowed to talk with the family members of Osama bin laden until and unless a written request is forwarded.

Also, Salman Bashir, the Pakistan Foreign Minister has declined any relation with al-Qaida and defended the role of ISI, the country’s premiere intelligence agency.

Credits: Photo from Getty Images