Source: Guardian
Today, more than 80 paramilitary soldiers were killed when at least one suicide bomber blew himself up at a military training center in Charsadda. At least 115 people were wounded in the bombing, labeled by the NY Times as, “the first major terrorist attack since the American raid in Abbottabad on May 2 that killed Osama bin Laden,” and by other outlets as the deadliest attack in Pakistan since last November.
The Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attack, and a spokesman told the AFP, “This was the first revenge for Osama’s martyrdom. Wait for bigger attacks in Pakistan and Afghanistan.” (The AfPak Channel’s daily brief, however, did note, “Pakistani police officials…were skeptical that the attack…was the work of the TTP, and suggested it may have been orchestrated by Omar Khalid’s group, which is currently fighting the Pakistani Army in Mohmand.”)
In a Parliamentary session today on the bin Laden operation, ISI Director General Pasha (who may or may not be resigning) admitted to intelligence negligence but not failure regarding the U.S. raid that killed OBL.
Jason Burke noted in a column for the Guardian,
There is a terrible inevitability about the bombing in Charsadda, Pakistan, on Friday morning. Little about it is different from previous bombings. There is the same vicious tactic…a familiar target: hapless recruits to the underpaid, under-equipped paramilitary frontier corps. There is a familiar culprit…The only difference is that this strike comes after the death of Osama bin Laden. It is an attack, claimed in the name of Al Qaeda in effect, by Pakistanis on Pakistanis.
As I watched images of injured young cadets on the news, I felt sick to my stomach. I felt sick because as this country goes up in flames, people are not protesting for the thousands of Pakistani lives lost because of terror attacks in the last few years alone. No. They are protesting violations of sovereignty committed by the Americans. They are pointing fingers at one another, shifting blame, searching for scapegoats. I am sick to my stomach.
Other interesting reads before the weekend:
- Declan Walsh, Guardian, “Whose Side is Pakistan’s ISI Really On?”
- Economist, “What Pakistanis Really Think”
- Ali Chishti, The Friday Times, “Wana Haveli”
- Mosharraf Zaidi, Open, “Besieged not Fallen”
- Reuters, “Porn Found in Bin Laden Hideout” (Seriously.)
I take it that the white house didnt object to you publishing these photos?
You mean the Guardian photo?
Yes, but my comment was more of a dig on how OBL picture was too gruesome yet the death of all the people dying in the name of OBLs cause are ok to show.
Ahhh…got it
What are your thoughts on not showing his image?
In terms of showing people dying, the media will show people injured but not the faces of dead people (I believe) – it’s considered unethical among media outlets as well.
Good point SD!
In any normal country, such an outrageous attack on the security forces would lead to a 2-week crackdown/roll-up of the Taliban. But in Pakistan, there will be continued distinctions made between “good” and “bad” Taliban and the security forces will continue to play footsie with those responsible. Traitors.
[...] Sick to My Stomach [...]
There is evidence that ‘Tehreek-e-Taliban’ are in fact a group set-up created and who’s leaders are trained by India’s RAW and US CIA agency. The Taliban of Afghanistan have never attacked Pakistan or their interest but rather understand that what ever Pakistan does is under the pressure from America hence focus their attention of US interests in the region – however the ‘Tehreek-e-Taliban’ are in fact at war with Pakistan, their interests, their army and the people of Pakistan.
It is strange how Tehreek-e-Taliban never attacked any US interests, besides have you ever seen Taliban of Afghanistan use such huge amounts of explosives as they don’t possess the knowledge to carry out such large operations where the blast is on a larger scale.
I think someone needs to analyse the difference between Afghanistan Taliban and Tehreek-e-Taliban in Pakistan – under and research the origin of Tehreek-e-Taliban.
Dude, you are a part of the problem.
LeT, Afghan Taliban, Pak Taliban are all fluid and exchange personnel regularly. “Afghan” Taliban is just a name they slap on an operation when they attack in Afghanistan, “LeT” is a label they slap on when they attack in India, etc. Same peeps. Same funding. Same ideology. Same Thursday night “fun” with “unbearded” boys. But you go on hoping without evidence that some of them are good Muslims (??!!) even though they are killing (the more naive and less corrupt elements of) our security forces.
Now, *this* was funny:
http://www.dawn.com/2011/05/13/extra-extra-mullah-omar-arrested-in-pakistan.html
I am know judge who is a good person and who is not, who is a good Muslim and who is not, but what I do know is that Pakistan sovereign integrity and territory is under attack.
o My GOd!
@Awakening Tempest
Well what your stating are just absurd conspiracy theories. I believe Pakistan and US should work for global peace and the blame game should stop!
This information is coming out of Pakistan, what is absurd is the way in which America conducted this operation inside Pakistan and giving the impression that Pakistan had no knowledge of Osama being there.
‘work for global peace’ mate which world do you live in. You definition of ‘global peace’ is attacking Libya because Gadaffi was to attack his own people – well lets take a look inside Palestine, or Lebanon, or Iraq or even Afghanistan – do you really see US ‘working for global peace’?
This is a solemn post, and so I will reserve my comment to condolances. It is always sad to see death and destruction. Please accept my condolances on behalf of the Indian people.
This attack only highlights how big a threat Al Qaeda and Taliban have become for our country. Our sovereignty was breached, the day these hooligans came to Pakistan.
the only way i see moving forward is if we work together. we should make policies with india and US, so that we can jointly counter terrorism. Its time we turn the page and show zero tolerance towards these militants.
Thanks Kalsoom for another brilliant blog. totally agree!!!
The only way forward out of this predicament, is to mend our relationship with the coalition partners.