The attack on Bacha
Khan University was exactly like the way APS Peshawar was attacked in December
2014. Nevertheless, the similarities are too many, like the time, as both the
institutions were attacked in the early morning, both the sacred institutions
are situated in the KPK province of Pakistan, a large number of innocent
students were killed in both the gory carnages, the terrorists selected the
foggy months of winter in both the attacks, for both the events the Indian
intelligence agency RAW was sturdily doubted right away, however, the attackers
in both the cases had last minute contact with their handlers in Afghanistan.
With such amazing resemblance in both the events and with innumerable
parallels, the objective of our enemy has surfaced as quite obvious and
alarming; ruin the future and take the nation back into Stone Age.
On Wednesday, January
20, 2016, a group of unidentified gunmen entered Bacha Khan University in
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’sCharsadda town and opened fire on students and faculty
members as they gathered at the University for a Poetry Recital (Mushahira) to commemorate
the death anniversary of a progressive activist Khan Abdul Ghaffar Kan aka Bacha
Khan whom the university is named after. Currently about 3000 students are
enrolled in this institution. The armed assailants scaled university walls and
in first go, targeted the boys’ hostel where they opened fire on the students
who were resting in their rooms. The bullets showers took 21 lives while more
than 60 people were severely injured.
The reports from
different quarters and agencies confirmed that the terrorists were eight to 10
in number who penetrated the university, aging between 18 and 25 years old,
wearing civilian clothes and had their faces covered. The four attackers were
wearing suicide vests but were neutralized by security forces’ snipers before
they could detonate their explosives. There were reports about three of them
that they were holing up in a single storey house in the neighborhood from
where they were commanding this bloody showdown. Out of the lot, four were
confirmed as killed while the fate of the others remained unconfirmed.
Before it is analyzed
that who was behind this attack and what was the purpose, it’s interesting and
worth mentioning here that on one hand, the mastermind of the APS Peshawar
attack, Umar Mansoor, of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ‘Geedard
(Jackal) Group’ has claimed the attack through a post on his Facebook page,
however, a spokesperson from the TTP, Mohammad Khorasani, issued a disagreeing
statement shortly after Mansoor’s claim, in which Khorasani condemned the
attack, terming it against “Shariah”. Khorasani also warned that those using
the name of TTP will be brought to justice.
Unfortunately if a
question is asked that, “Will Pakistan see more such attacks on the educational
institutions?” The answer to it is, forlornly yes, since the terrorists have
two advantages; firstly, they go for the soft targets and secondly, they do
more damage as the future of the nation is shattered and ruined. The terrorist attacks
on didactic institutions around the world have otherwise risen to frightening
levels; higher than any point in more than 40 years. It’s a global trend that
is increasing at a rapidly growing rate. Looking exclusively at Pakistan, the
rate at which attacks increased in the run-up to the Army Public School
bloodbath was disturbing. Hence, with a heavy heart one has to admit the
happening of any such attack in future. Most of the attacks prior to APS were
not that deadly, both the frequency and the damage they caused were on an
unparalleled rise. Pakistan, as a country, has the highest number of attacks
i.e. 850 on places of learning and also the highest number of people killed
i.e. 450 in school attacks. Russia follows behind with 361 killed.
What all has happened
so far, happening in the country and is likely to (God forbid) happen in the
coming days or month has to be seen in the light of the Indian defence minister
Manohar Parriker’s recent naked threat given to Pakistan in a public function,
soon after the attack on Pathankot where he said while mincing his words that,
“Our enemy will only realise the pain when he will be hit where it hurts him.
We will revert to any mean to harm our enemy, may it be terrorism even”. It’s a
well known fact that our enemy never hesitates in going to any extent to harm
Pakistan and history vouches for it. Few months ago Indian premier Modi visited
Bangladesh where he openly confessed about India’s role in separating East
Pakistan and he was presented the picture about the signing of instrument of
surrender. Although our Foreign Office said that, “It is premature to draw any
conclusion as to who may be behind the Charsada university attack before
investigations are complete,” however, Pak army’s chief spokesperson said that
“The attackers were in touch with a number from Afghanistan and the SIMs used
in the phones, were of Afghan origin”. Interestingly, a mobile phone recovered
from one of the attackers was receiving calls even after he had been killed.
There are two vital issues;
first that why the government is reluctant to implement the National Action
Plan (NAP)? After all, theplan was designed and drafted soon after the APS
massacre, as a result of marathon sessions of epic committee? It looks as if
the government, judiciary and the army is not on the same page. The LEAs
apprehend the culprits after a great effort, while the courts leave them after
a couple of hearings. On the other hand the fate of the proposed military
courts is not very clear. The army is more than willing to set up the courts
and has extended a sincere cooperating hand, however on the government side;
some unknown fear is preventing the ruling elite from implementing the
decision. This attitude has not only encouraged our enemies but the wave of
violence and terrorism has also reverted which is certainly not a good sign.
The other and most
worrying issue is related to the Prime Minister’s behaviour vis-à-vis his
Indian counterpart. The attitude of a government head towards a specific leader
or head of the state, usually, commensurate to the relations between the two
states. The very cool and cordial relation between the heads of the governments
of two daggers drawn states is unprecedented. Now here in case of Pakistan and
India, it has happened many a times that despite Modi’s hostile and aggressive
statements, Mian Nawaz Sharif always displayed warmth and friendly behaviour
which is certainly mind gobbling.
Few months ago Mian
Nawaz Sharif visited India. The entourage was inclined towards the family more
than the officials. Even in India the meetings were more of personal nature and
corporate oriented. The sensitive issues like Kashmir and Baglihar Dam were
relegated and meetings with the Indian ‘Iron Man’ Jandal were given preference.
The exchange of gifts and hosting of luncheons and dinners projected it as a
meeting of two brothers who were lost in ‘Kum
Mela”. It was later confirmed few weeks ago when out of nowhere,
Modi landed at Lahore airport and escorted straight to Jati Umrah as a personal
guest of Mian Sahib, where he attended a marriage and flew back to Delhi after
a few hours stay in Pakistan. All the analysts, diplomats, politicians and
media were absolutely bamboozled with jaw-dropped. It was beyond anyone’s
comprehension that when the Indian ruling elite is blaming and bashing Pakistan
every now and then, when Pakistan and its armed forces and ISI is bashed for even
an insignificant happening in India then what makes Mian Nawaz Sharif to behave
like Mother Teresa?
Honestly speaking the
series of terrorist activities inside and anywhere in Pakistan compels a common
Pakistani to ask the prime minister that whether he is on our side or on
enemy’s? Will he give preference to the country’s or his own family’s business
interests? It’s not solely the army’s obligation to fight against terrorism and
at the end of the day earn bad name and criticism. The officers and soldiers of
the army have laid more lives in this war on terror than the total number of
the martyrs of three wars against India. Certainly the sacrifices don’t deserve
this sort of reward.
The fact is that time
is rapidly running out and so are the affairs getting out of control. The
desperate enemy has nothing to lose. What
else one can expect from a person who puts his life at stake? The only answer
is, throw our personal interests on the backseat and the State’s business be
given the first choice. It’s time to implement the NAP in letter and spirit.
Every Pakistani has a valid right to ask the prime minister that what is more
important to him; Pakistan or something else? The nation can’t afford losing
more innocent lives and the future of beloved motherland. They expect the
rulers to take the war to the terrorists, out of Pakistan. It’s high time for
the decision makers to decide before it is too late.
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