Another brazen attack

19 August 2012 06:30 pm - 0 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Just when the Pakistani army was preparing to finally undertake a military operation to crush the intransigent Haqqani network in North Waziristan, it has again come under another brazen attack.

The Minhas air base in Kamra—located in Attock in northern Punjab— came under attack by nine heavily armed assailants during the early hours of Thursday morning.
And just like every major offensive by militants on Pakistan’s security establishment, this too appeared elaborately planned. The militant were equipped with rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons; six of them even wore suicide vests. The surprise attack, which precipitated a counteroffensive by the security forces, lasted several hours and claimed the lives of one soldier and nine militants.

This is very disturbing news, especially because the Kamra base is one of the country’s largest airforce bases; 30 fighter jets, including new JF-17 planes are in the middle of being assembled there. And for ordinary Pakistanis, the attack evokes a sense of déjà vu— the 2011 attack by militants on the PNS Mehran air base in Karachi lasted year that left 18 security personnel dead and destroyed two aircrafts was eerily similar.

This latest strike by militants has sparked doubts about the capability and cohesiveness of the military, just as it gears up to hunt down militant enclaves in its restive tribal belt. As was the case in the PNS Mehran attack, there are strong reasons to believe that insiders were involved in the sophisticated assault on the Kamra base. This does not only validate long-standing concerns about the burgeoning pro-militant forces in the armed forces, it also highlights the vulnerability of the latter.

As Pakistan continues to reel from terrorism at the turn of its 65th birthday, its people are looking for some respite from political turbulence. But after the US announced that it will channel $1.18 billion as part of the Coalition Support Fund to Pakistan, there’s been increased pressure on the army to take stronger action against militants. But the Kamra base attack is a terrifying sign that the khakhis might not be able to tackle the blowback triggered by the forthcoming offensive against North Waziristan’s tenacious militants. There present situation poses a grand dilemma for the army, but one it must resolve soon.
Khaleej Times

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 0

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Another brazen attack

Comments - 0

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Western purple-faced langurs see blue!

Most Viewed in News

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

Belgian traveller scammed in Kalutara

Confusion remains if April 15 is a bank holiday

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

New Visa procedure implemented

MIRROR CRICKET

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

Chamodi, Dewmi spins Sri Lanka U19 Women to big win

Amir, Wasim return to Pakistan national team

TODAY'S HEADLINES

100 Police personnel trained to target criminals operating on motorbikes

Catholic Church receives full report

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali’s possession of Gota’s Range Rover

We are struggling with severe shortage of staff – Excise Chief

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

Security raised for Champions League ties after threat

SLA target four events at Paris Olympic Games

Chamodi, Dewmi spins Sri Lanka U19 Women to big win