Adil Najam
(Editor’s note: Beware, the pictures here may be graphic and disturbing for some readers. Although, no more disturbing than the reality of murder and inhumanity that they depict.)
It was just weeks ago that we were humming along with Arif Lohar about selling wangaaN (bangles) at Data Sahib (the shrine of Data Ganj Bakhsh Hajveri) in Lahore. Today, brutal murderers ruthlessly butchered at least 40 innocent Pakistanis and injured another 170 in a heinous and dastardly suicide attack on Data Durbar that specifically targeted the vulnerable, the poor, the religious, the helpless in their ongoing war against Pakistan. This is one more in a string of attacks in and around Lahore which seem to have picked up just as momentum gathers for an operation against militants and extremists in the Punjab in the aftermath of the attack on Ahmedi worshipers in Lahore.
That Lahore’s single most iconic and revered location has been attacked – and on a jumaraat, which many consider to be sacred – reeks with symbolism and speaks volumes about the depth of hatred that these murderers have for all things Pakistan. Yes, I take this personally. Just as I have taken every murder of innocent Pakistanis anywhere in Pakistan, personally. Anyone who loves Lahore cannot hear of this and not have a shiver go down the spine; as it went mine. But that shiver is now a nearly daily occurrence. Whatever the symbolism of Data Sahib may be, it is paled by the outrage at the murder – yet again – of innocent people: the begunah, the masoom!
I would like to find the words to express that outrage, to express what Data Darbar means to so many, to describe the pain that pounds me once again as it has each time these murderers have hit Pakistanis anywhere. I would like to do that but – quite literally – my hands are trembling, my eyes have swelled up, and that shiver up my spine has gripped my entire body. Maybe later I will find the words to say what I need to say, but right now I ponder only on the darkness that resides in the hearts of the men who commit these acts, those who plan them, and those who choose to justify them.
For now, all I can do is to give you the essential details, as reported in Dawn:
LAHORE: In the first terrorist attack of its kind in the Punjab capital, two alleged suicide bombers blew themselves up at the Data Ganj Bakhsh shrine on Thursday night, killing at least 40 people and injuring 170 others. The first explosion took place in the basement reserved for ablution and the second in front of the shrine’s main building where a large number of people from across the province gather for worship on Thursdays.
At first, police announced that some crackers had exploded near the shrine. The two bombers entered the shrine and exploded themselves three minutes apart. Surveillance cameras, walkthrough gates and metal detectors turned out to be ineffective. Around 100 volunteers and several policemen were present in and around the shrine, searching visitors thoroughly.
Senior Superintendent of Police (Operations) Chaudhry Shafiq Ahmad told Dawn that two suicide attacks had been carried out and investigators had found the bombers’ skulls and limbs. He said ball-bearings and other material used in the blasts had also been collected. Lahore Commissioner Khusro Pervaiz Bakhtiar told journalists at the spot that the bombers had blown themselves up during a large congregation. In reply to a question about involvement of a foreign hand in the attack, he said the strike was a horrible conspiracy but “our own people become instruments in the hands of othersâ€.
The official said an investigation had been launched about the breach in security measures. According to witnesses, the explosions were so powerful that a large number of people fell down and several of them were injured in a stampede. The shrine’s administration announced seconds after the first blast that a generator had exploded in the basement and they might continue their activities. The bomb disposal squad estimated that 10-15kgs of explosives had been used in each suicide jacket.
Ambulances of Rescue 1122 and the Edhi Foundation took the bodies and injured people to hospitals. According to a devotee, two gates on the north and south side of the shrine, which usually remain closed, were open on Thursday. He suspected that the bombers had entered through those gates. Scores of enraged people gathered outside the shrine and protested against terror attacks. They also damaged public and private property. There were reports that a cracker was exploded before the suicide blasts to create a panic.
Police evacuated Data Darbar to collect evidence and carry out rescue work. All commercial and residential buildings adjoining the shrine were also searched for suspects. Following the blasts, an extensive crackdown was launched across the city and several people were detained for interrogation. A suspect was also taken into custody near the Darbar. Rumours of terror attacks on other shrines in the city panicked devotees and police also launched a search operation there. Security was beefed up in and around all shrines and religious places.
@Asif Riaz. You are right. I was thinking the same. At least people like Gupta say what is on their mind. Then we can ignore them. But all these others who make up Pakistani sounding name and vomit their propaganda and gloat over Pakistanis dying to try to ‘construct’ ideas is so pathetic. I wonder is they are paid to do so or they think it is their ‘national duty’ to do this!!!
I guess their RAW is no better than our ISI. May both rot in hell.
To those who want these images removed, a picture can be worth thousand words…in our case not even million words can describe the suffering of innocent people on both sides, the innocent ones killed by Taliban/al Qaida and the innocent ones killed by governments.
Please keep these images up and upload more images like these so people see the suffering and appreciate the value of life.
If God wanted human sacrifices, he could have created billions of angels just to do that…God never provided clear orders of what he wanted us to do…it all our interpretation og how we perceive His messages…honestly, i think not even prophets knew what God was saying…or maybe there was no message from God ever!
I dont know this, but has there even been a prophet who did not profit from the crowd that gathered around him thinking if they dont follow the “God’s message this guy is giving” God’s wrath would come on to them?….fear of the unknown can be very controlling!
Also, has anyone ever done any root cause analysis to determine what conditions or background provoke people to commit such violent act where even their most precious thing, their life is not enough to stop them?
An informed discussion between Tahira Abdullah, Javaid Ahmed Ghamidi and Irfan Siddiqui about his event and related issues.
http://www.friendskorner.com/forum/f260/talk-show- policy-matters-2nd-july-2010-a-191105/
They (terrorist) own pakistan. They have support og GEO news , PML(N) and Imran Khan.
Just pray that your family dont get kill in their wrath.
Why is it that Indian propagandists come out of the woodwork to gloat over Pakistanis dying.
Dushman marey tay khushi na kareeye, sajnaa ve mar jana