Terrorists attacked Pakistan Navy`s airbase PNS Mehran in Karachi late on Sunday, setting off seven high intensity explosions. The terrorists also managed to penetrate into hangars in the base and managed to destroy two naval aircraft. They later regrouped inside a building and engaged in heavy exchange of gunfire with naval commandos and rangers who managed to make their way inside the base. This battle has so far resulted in a heavy toll of about 11 naval personnel and two rangers personnel, whereas only four terrorists have been killed.
It is speculated that there were 16 highly trained well-equipped terrorists who penetrated the base. They had full information about the inside of the base and followed a well-organised assault plan. According to some reports, the terrorists made their way inside the base from three sides away from the main entrance gates, which were closely guarded. This is quite surprising as, apart from the main gates, all other areas and boundaries usually have watchtowers located at every corner. How can 16 men carrying heavy equipment bags escape from the watchful eyes of guards on these watchtowers?
This attack is quite alarming as far as the security and safety of strategic defence installations is concerned. One can recall earlier attacks on GHQ, Naval College in Lahore, armed forces vehicles convoys in Karachi and Rawalpindi in which armed terrorists carried out their operation and got away. In addition to these, facilities belonging to police and other law enforcement agencies have been targeted in the past with ease by these terrorists. In all cases they managed to penetrate inside these facilities and carried out their plans swiftly and got out.
After looking at all these cases, one cannot help but think if this is the state of security of the institutions that are responsible for the security of ordinary people, then where is the security of the common people? That is the main reason that civilians have become sitting ducks for terrorists and now the armed forces` personnel have also been included in this list.
There is something missing in this link and I believe there is a big problem of security lapse in each of these cases. It is no secret that our security system has been penetrated at some level and information is leaking out, be it the case of Osama bin Laden hiding near the military academy or terrorist attacks like these. They cannot be planned without strategic information about details of the location or target area. In my opinion, the government has to revamp and clean its security and intelligence systems. It has to redesign its surveillance, intelligence and information gathering systems.
However, whatever the case may be, it is quite depressing to see this state of affairs which is getting worse with every passing day and no one seems to have any clue on how to tackle this issue of security of our defence installations.
nasir riaz