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!
@Rai Azlan: Next time when you visit US or meet any of your American friend then do tell them you have embraced their filth and now we call “your” war as “Our” war because we have history to sell out our own people for sake of others. Sometimes in the name of Afghan war,sometimes in the name of terrorism we sell our our daughters like Afia while some times we sell out our soldiers to fight the war which Americans,Indians and others itself ain’t willing to fight and begging Saudia and here and there to start dialogue with Talibans. Just few days back Indian PM visited Saudia to start “making love” with Talibans and to defame Pakistan. Saudia showed “Thenga” to India and turned down their demand.
Every tin soldier here and their accusing Talibans, I ask who’s funding them? that retard Rehman Malik always whine that they found “solid proof” of Indian involvement to fund these extremists but do any anti-Talibans have guts to admit the reality? they can’t while their bread and butter is associated with Kissing up India. I am tired of these little tin soldiers who use online forums as their battle fields.
Excellent writeup…. those wanting us to understadn the “jihadi motive” or seeing conspiracy and outside hands are in essence Taliban agents themselves trying to give “cover” to these killers by distracting attention so that the Taliban murderers can keep killing more Pakistanis and Muslims.
Let us call these Taliban what they are: Criminals and enemies of Pakistan and Islam. Once we have clarity on that all else will fall into place. Until we accept that as a society we will keep getting killed by the Taliban and all their agents amongst us!
“Why they wish to do so is irrelevant… But trying to “make sense” of why this is happening is also futile.”
The reason we can’t get out of this mess is easily is this lack of clear headed thinking. How can we understand the jihadi motives behind the attacks when we term the motives irrelevant and our analysis fuitile??
There we go again,Chander,”India is good,Pakistan is bad”.I’m sick and tired of hearing this again and again.No country is without faults.One can fill entire volumes with details of what is wrong with India.
My parents were born in Karachi.but had to leave in 1947.My parents till today have fond memories of those days,but I am happy that the migrated to India.What has Pakistan achieved?Pakistan was created on the basis of religion.Religion can only guide you only if you want to be guided.Religion cannot feed you.We have more muslims in India then Pakistan and majority of them are very happy .Our muslims travel freely and donot have to go through body scanners.
Pakistan was created overnight,and lost it’s direction.There has never been real Democracy,military is more powerful than civilian government and the foreign policy is made in ISI head quarters.
India is not your enemy your fellow muslims are enough.Taliban gets money from other muslims around the world.ISI created taliban and even today is supporting them.They created this devil to fight Russians and now they have come to haunt PAKISTAN.ISI should under stand that PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN GLASS HOUSE DON’T THROW STONES AT OTHERS.
”AS YOU SOW SO SHALL YOU REEP”