Adil Najam and Owais Mughal
Enemies of Pakistan are at it again; killing innocent Pakistanis in their murderous zeal. Murder and mayhem by terrorists has hit the city of Lahore second time in four days. This time in the form of a series of bomb blasts (at leastseven blasts today, according to some reports, and counting) that have already left more than 40 people dead (and counting).
At least seven blasts in Lahore have been reported today, at least 5 of them in Iqbal Town, Lahore. Although some of the later blasts were of less intensity, the goal here was to create panic. And it did. Especially because the terrorists planned them right around the time of Juma prayers – these killers seem to relish the killing the killing of Pakistani Muslims. There are also reports that the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan has claimed responsibility for these murders:
… The heads of both alleged bombers were recovered from the scene of the blasts while two suspects were also arrested, the Inspector General of Punjab Tariq Salim Dogar told reporters after the blasts… Meanwhile, the proscribed Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed the responsibility for twin Lahore bombings. The blasts took place at 12:48 pm within the space of 15 seconds at R. A. Bazar as crowds gathered for Friday prayers. The blasts were so powerful that it caused cracks in nearby buildings besides shattering window panes. “We have collected concrete technical evidence, which will help identify the attackers. Both the attackers were on foot,” the IGP said.
There is little point in laying out the details here (The News update can be read here). The details keep changing. And yet they never change. We keep writing this same post again and again and again. The heart bleeds no less. The eyes swell up as ever. But the killing goes on.
One is tempted to say that the killing is senseless. But for those who kill, it is not. They know exactly what they are doing and why they are doing it. It is planned murder. And it is planned murder for a very clear effect. It is planned to destabilize Pakistan. Why they wish to do so is irrelevant. That is the effect, and that is the planned effect. But trying to “make sense” of why this is happening is also futile. What we need to think sensibly about is our own reaction to these attacks. Finding “hidden hands” is not going to help since the “hand” is all too obvious. Debates about causes and faults and contexts and history will be important, but right now they are just being used as a device to confuse. If someone can plant a bomb, again and again and again, in the heart of our cities in the midst of our children then at least two things should be clear: one, the enemy IS within us; two, this fight IS our fight.
For those who say this war is not “our” war, we ask: how many Pakistanis have to die before it does become out war! For those who cry about wanting Pakistan to do more, we ask: How many more Pakistanis will need to die before you think we have done enough!
@Aamir Ali: Interne is yet a free space where every one can take part to increase knowledge, you also can. Visit the following URL:
http://tinyurl.com/dgisprindia
Even many Indians do accept that India has been doing something “fishy” in Balochistan and other regions.
Should I assume that just like Talibans are funded by Wahabis of Saudia to impose their agenda, you are being an Indian and Western fundo to protect their agenda in Pakistan thus it hurts you when we expose India et all? :)
It seems Pakistan has also been attacked by western and Indian fundos who are here to protect their “employer”?
Seymour hersh, Pak Nuclear Arsenal, BlackWater
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RfGLFM5-Lg&feature =related
One of the best comments someone wrote on this post is worth repeating:
“Some time back you had a post about what we can do as citizens.
I think most important is not to let people get away with talk of supporting Taliban types. Just stop people and tell them that they cannot go around supporting
the killers of Paksitanis. Just that.
It is the silent support that people give them by trying to come up with conspiracies that is really the curse in our society.”
People like Hasan is the proof that our so called liberals are as ignorant about surrounding regions just like they are about their own faith.
Hasan, Rehman Malik is NOT a taliban sympathizer so is DG ISPR athar Abbas.Bot claimed again that India has been involved in South Waziristan and recent bombings to take revenge of Kabul Bombings.
Start exploring Internet news sites. It will help you to save from future embarrassments.
ATP Administrator’s comments from Facebook have prettymuch summed up what we need to do.However last para needs utmost attention.When will the large segmentof population decide?Apparently never.Reason:total indifference.This generates from the elected leadership.Factually this leadership has not been brought up in an enviornment where you put in honest hardwork to earn a living.Take the PM.All his life he has been living on the income of Durgah and its allied property.He does not know how to manage his household what to talk of the state.He could not even improve the life of his own area.The second element is that we are so used to life where laws are secondery,therefore we are afraid of a strong and honest leader where law may be supreme and fully implimented. Lastly total empathy by general population to help the state agencies.With Rehman Malik this has further increased.This is primarily due to the inefficient and bad reputation of such agencies who discourage people to report.The failure to promptly punish the persons for lapses has damaged us internationally and internally.The Srilankan Cricket Team incident amply explains this argument.All culprits were allowed to escape and no one was punished although guilt was established on tape.The people and the then ruler of Punjab need to answer this.Thank You and regards.