Not a month goes by without having to see terrorists attack or drones being dropped on our own people. The attack on PNS Mehran has clearly demonstrated that the blind trust that the public has had on our security forces is now being questioned circumstantially. Moreover it has emphasised the audacity of the terrorists who ripped through one of the most heavily guarded bases in the country, right at the centre of the city, with scrupulous planning and force. The security lapse has given birth to a whole new spectrum of speculation, debate and theories. Analysts and talk show actors have been trying to orchestrate 
conspiratorial ideas through their profound judgments and critical tajziya nigaari and the awaam has again been left to ponder what the hell is going on. Why is it that our security forces, who are trained and paid to do their job, fail so vehemently time and again. The attack has left question marks on everyone's minds that if those who are responsible for securing the nation fail to secure themselves, what is going to happen if things get even worse. Why aren't such attacks foiled before they even become such a big affair? Is it because of intelligence failure, incompetence or just that our forces don't learn from past security mistakes.
This was the fourth attack on the Pakistan Navy in recent times, and second such terrorist operation since the one in GHQ in 2009 – it seems that lessons are yet to be learnt. All these failures are raising eyebrows about the preparedness of our security forces in averting such crisis. It hurts to see chaos amidst the most disciplined of the lot especially when you have so much confidence and respect about their capabilities.
In the aftermath of the attack, talk show hosts and analysts have tried to point out the intriguing details of the modus operandi of the terrorists and similarities of the attack with that of the one at GHQ in 2009. The guerilla tactics employed by these terrorist wasn't a random ambush, it was a well scripted, planned operation that has exposed the security lapses of our forces. The ramification of this tragic incident has brought under the microscope, not just the security loopholes in the system, or the intelligence failures, but also the defence spending. Questions are being raised as to where the massive defence budget is being funneled. With an already fractured economy, and a hairline budget for all the more important things like health, education and development, it is time for the government to get into the nitty-gritty details of the nation's defence spending. Lavishing on tax payers' money in Pakistan has become a past time for those at the helm of affairs, whether it is the corrupt civilian politicians taking foreign trips or the armed forces setting up housing societies, clubs, golf courses, or deliberating over the allotment of plots or luxury cars, it seems that swimming over the nation's scarce resources needs a serious check and balance.
Nevertheless the breach in security or the attack, it seems that such instances instantly cause a loss of composure in our leadership, because the issuance of conflicting statements added more chaos to the entire scenario. On the other hand, conspiracy theorists did not seem to have been satisfied by the acceptance of this attack by the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, highlighting speculations about the involvement of foreign powers trying to stir instability and questioning the motives of the attackers as to why only 'India specific' P3C Orion aircrafts were attacked and not the others (as if that wasn't enough), fuelling further debate on the issue. The armed forces of Pakistan who had already been humiliated due to the May 2 operation have now again been defamed because of the breach in security at PNS Mehran. The entire episode has reaffirmed international fears about Pakistan's nukes, with foreign press and media speculating the possibility of inside help and going as far as to question the competence of the armed forces, known to be one of the best trained in the world. The growing international pressure on Pakistan for showing more resolve in the fight against terror seems to be cornering the nation from all fronts. With this continued rise in instability and the freedom with which terrorists have been seen to attack security outlets, it seems that Pakistan really needs to crack down harder in its pursuit to fight terrorism.
Little did we know that the magnum opus of our intelligence agencies would end up as the biggest threat to our own security; that that would give birth to a new brand of urban terrorism that would prove to be fatal for our own people. It was like purposely exposing oneself to radiation, without knowing that that would cause cancer in future. It is a sad sight to see that our armed forces, which have always had the 'knight in shining armour' image for the public, failing to foil such attacks. The ferociousness of this attack and the planning with which it was conducted has again given rise to speculations that sympathetic elements for militants do course thru the veins of the armed forces in the lower rungs. But on the other hand, the rising anti-Americanism among the masses seems to tilt the balance on the other side. It is time for our leaders to put their heads together and show some serious urgency instead of waiting for dictations about what needs to be done. The current state of affairs is worrisome for all, let's hope and pray that our nation wriggles itself out of this vortex of terrorism sooner than later.
A few days ago, while chatting up with a couple of friends over politics and current affairs, a friend of mine, frustrated at the plight of the nation said, "Jis ghar ka chaukidaar ghar ka maalik bannay lage, uss ghar ka kya hoga?" I couldn't help but ponder at the grim reality of a democratic Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
conspiratorial ideas through their profound judgments and critical tajziya nigaari and the awaam has again been left to ponder what the hell is going on. Why is it that our security forces, who are trained and paid to do their job, fail so vehemently time and again. The attack has left question marks on everyone's minds that if those who are responsible for securing the nation fail to secure themselves, what is going to happen if things get even worse. Why aren't such attacks foiled before they even become such a big affair? Is it because of intelligence failure, incompetence or just that our forces don't learn from past security mistakes.This was the fourth attack on the Pakistan Navy in recent times, and second such terrorist operation since the one in GHQ in 2009 – it seems that lessons are yet to be learnt. All these failures are raising eyebrows about the preparedness of our security forces in averting such crisis. It hurts to see chaos amidst the most disciplined of the lot especially when you have so much confidence and respect about their capabilities.
In the aftermath of the attack, talk show hosts and analysts have tried to point out the intriguing details of the modus operandi of the terrorists and similarities of the attack with that of the one at GHQ in 2009. The guerilla tactics employed by these terrorist wasn't a random ambush, it was a well scripted, planned operation that has exposed the security lapses of our forces. The ramification of this tragic incident has brought under the microscope, not just the security loopholes in the system, or the intelligence failures, but also the defence spending. Questions are being raised as to where the massive defence budget is being funneled. With an already fractured economy, and a hairline budget for all the more important things like health, education and development, it is time for the government to get into the nitty-gritty details of the nation's defence spending. Lavishing on tax payers' money in Pakistan has become a past time for those at the helm of affairs, whether it is the corrupt civilian politicians taking foreign trips or the armed forces setting up housing societies, clubs, golf courses, or deliberating over the allotment of plots or luxury cars, it seems that swimming over the nation's scarce resources needs a serious check and balance.
Nevertheless the breach in security or the attack, it seems that such instances instantly cause a loss of composure in our leadership, because the issuance of conflicting statements added more chaos to the entire scenario. On the other hand, conspiracy theorists did not seem to have been satisfied by the acceptance of this attack by the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, highlighting speculations about the involvement of foreign powers trying to stir instability and questioning the motives of the attackers as to why only 'India specific' P3C Orion aircrafts were attacked and not the others (as if that wasn't enough), fuelling further debate on the issue. The armed forces of Pakistan who had already been humiliated due to the May 2 operation have now again been defamed because of the breach in security at PNS Mehran. The entire episode has reaffirmed international fears about Pakistan's nukes, with foreign press and media speculating the possibility of inside help and going as far as to question the competence of the armed forces, known to be one of the best trained in the world. The growing international pressure on Pakistan for showing more resolve in the fight against terror seems to be cornering the nation from all fronts. With this continued rise in instability and the freedom with which terrorists have been seen to attack security outlets, it seems that Pakistan really needs to crack down harder in its pursuit to fight terrorism.
Little did we know that the magnum opus of our intelligence agencies would end up as the biggest threat to our own security; that that would give birth to a new brand of urban terrorism that would prove to be fatal for our own people. It was like purposely exposing oneself to radiation, without knowing that that would cause cancer in future. It is a sad sight to see that our armed forces, which have always had the 'knight in shining armour' image for the public, failing to foil such attacks. The ferociousness of this attack and the planning with which it was conducted has again given rise to speculations that sympathetic elements for militants do course thru the veins of the armed forces in the lower rungs. But on the other hand, the rising anti-Americanism among the masses seems to tilt the balance on the other side. It is time for our leaders to put their heads together and show some serious urgency instead of waiting for dictations about what needs to be done. The current state of affairs is worrisome for all, let's hope and pray that our nation wriggles itself out of this vortex of terrorism sooner than later.A few days ago, while chatting up with a couple of friends over politics and current affairs, a friend of mine, frustrated at the plight of the nation said, "Jis ghar ka chaukidaar ghar ka maalik bannay lage, uss ghar ka kya hoga?" I couldn't help but ponder at the grim reality of a democratic Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
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