Question mark over Rangers-led Karachi operation
74
KARACHI: As the horrific attack on members of the Shia Ismaili community in Safoora Goth on Wednesday added another black date to the ever-growing calendar of tragedies in the country, it also put a question mark over the Rangers-led targeted operations across the city.
Irrespective of who carried out the attack or who was behind it, the fact remains that gunmen boarded a bus and killed its passengers on sectarian grounds without being caught. They apparently were not deterred by the so-called Karachi operation launched in September 2013 to rid the city of its law and order menace once and for all.
If one examines the overall methodology of the Karachi operation, particularly in recent months, it appears that judicial procedure — howsoever questionable and patchy — is for those criminals associated with political parties, and ‘encounters’ — whose genuineness is always a moot point — is mostly the fate of suspected militants linked with banned organisations.
Such a policy makes it difficult to make a reasonable assessment of the reach of armed organisations in the country’s financial capital, since the background of militants linked to banned militant organisations and gunned down in ‘encounters’ and information about their prime targets never come to light.
Zohra Yusuf of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) agrees with this impression.
“There should be no double standards,” she says. “There have been some operations against extremist elements in Karachi by law enforcement agencies, but in no way can it be said that it’s being done to rid the city of them [militants]. I think the policy needs clarity.”
Formation of joint interrogation teams, frequent arrests of suspects on leads found after interrogation of their aides and targeted raids to arrest more criminals are measures that are quite often witnessed in the city. However, it seems that banned outfits and their alleged militants are handled only with ‘encounters’ by law enforcement agencies.
The police record also reflects the trend. The recently released figures of the Karachi police show that during four months — from January to April 2015 — 584 ‘encounters’ left 234 suspects “including terrorists, abductors and dacoits” shot dead. Despite such a high figure of ‘encounters’, city peace remains as elusive as ever.
“I think there should be a comprehensive strategy with clarity. The attitude is not clear. Such incidents point to failure of the entire National Action Plan,” says Ms Yusuf of the HRCP.
Published in Dawn, May 14th, 2015
On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (74) Closed
May 14, 2015 07:11am
Please show love and compassion to victim community and offer help and kind words and avoid blame game. We need to unite against the terrorism as one nation united under GOD!
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 07:15am
Terrorists in Pakistan and Afghanistan seems not afraid of the ATC, proceedings, and hangings. Both the nations are rocked by random killings.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 07:49am
Do not be critical what rangers are doing. Do you think and hope that militant culture being in Karachi and other cities for the last 20 years will come to an end in just one year? If you do think that way, "you are dead wrong". It will take years and people determination and support. I bet their are groups of roughs who want to keep the security situation in status quo.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 07:53am
In just 4 month 584 encounter and 234 shot dead in a single city,and still crime not controlled. I think revision of strategy should be done. Catch them alive, take on remand and interrogate about their master. Big fish must be caught. Interrogate the mullas who provoke this sectarian killing. Source of this brainwashed people must be stopped otherwise it is a long way journey.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 07:53am
What is police doing? Where is Sindh Govt? What is the responsibility of these two? What is Sindh home minister doing? If it is sole responsibility of Rangers then, police and Sindh Govt needs to resign, sit back and let the Rangers do the job and don't interfere.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 07:55am
We expect too much of our Paramilitary force.
They are already doing more then what they are supposed to do.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 07:56am
Why not you take over the Ranger commandant? You are setting in the comfort of your home and criticizing the Rangers while they are doing a difficult job. Standing in the line of fire require courage. You must appreciate the job done by rangers so far.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 08:06am
Indeed, law and disorder in the city has become the norm, especially since certain parties have been allowed to operate as 'political parties'.
Overall, the government seems unable to solve this problem.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 08:07am
How comes a question mark over Rangers-led Karachi operation? The primary job of Rangers is to secure borders and assist army during war.
The question mark is over the performance of Sindh police and Sindh government. And the both of them have been discussed for their negligence many times.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 08:11am
security personnel cannot be everywhere so this expectation is ridiculous. The only solution is to find their den and get rid of the roots.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 08:22am
Excellent and daring.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 08:35am
Engagement of the communities that inhabit Karachi plus some sort of a judicial process is required to fight against the wholesale killing and bloodletting. Extrajudicial killing is not the way out. Maybe in small rural areas it may work but in a large metropolis like Karachi containing more than 2 million souls it may not work.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 08:38am
A paramilitary organization tasked to work as a SWAT team to capture hardened criminals, should it be held responsible for law and order? Terrorists are like mosquito, you can kill them, you can build your safety net but no guarantee that you will be safe from them.
Mr. Ayub's parameter of operation's success is flawed it should be measured by the number of criminals taken out of streets by rangers.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 08:52am
everybody playing his own game... not accepting their responsibility and blaming others.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 09:03am
The notion about Rangers is wrong. Billions of rupees is allocated to Police and its associates organization. The prime force is police and should be made responsible. Rangers is working as additional force which carrying out tactical operations to intelligence based information. Blame comes on Police and interior ministry of Sind which we all know is pathetic and in efficient.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 09:05am
The key question for Pakistani state is, whether it has the will to detract from its ways since 1947? Police thanna culture with people getting beaten up for confession, staged encounters, now to mass executions. It is now a matter of either reform or perish.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 09:16am
Inefficiency and corruption are the basic reason for our failure.
The problem is with us and we have to find the solution ourselves.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 09:17am
We are using border security force to deal with highly complex dynamics of urban security challenges coupled with multi dimensional terrorism with an absolute absence of advanced intelligence collection mechanism. It's evident in various pictures of the crime scene of this tragedy as to how unprepared our forensic teams are. We just like to solve every problem with brute force which can provide temporary relief form this terrorism menace but does not do anything to solve the problem permanently. There is no proven track record of solving these type heinous crimes with complete clarity that real perpetrators are caught and punished. We need to start modernizing our crime fighting techniques to provide a sustainable mechanism that can eliminate and control the terrorism and other repetitive serious crimes.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 09:22am
Do not demotivate Rangers thru so-called philosophical articles. Give them some appreciations for the good work they have done so far. They need our backup not the consistent criticism. This will be counterproductive.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 09:28am
if the government would have been at all concerned about common people, they would have taken Lal Masjid cleric in custody for openly supporting ISIS and their terrorist beliefs. But nothing happened!
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 09:32am
Again bus attack before cricket ??????????????
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 09:32am
You can't have rangers on every car, building, landmark.... It is just not possible.
This is more of intelligence failure than failure of foot soldiers
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 09:42am
The daring attack in broad daylight has shocked everyone.The killing of 47 people can not be justified by any human standard.The criminals must be brought to justice without any delay. This attack also reflect one thing that minorities of Pakistan are living in fear. This is not the first attack on minorities but no of people killed in this attack is quite shocking. The Govt. of Pakistan must make all possible effort to ensure the safety of minorities . My heartfelt sympathies with the families who got killed.May the Almighty rest their souls in peace!
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 09:48am
No question mark at all. The operation in Karachi just started. It will take more time and more troops to clear this mess of the last 20+ years. I have full faith in our police and armed forces! #wecandothis #pakistanforeveryone!
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 10:02am
Law and enforcement agencies in Sindh province have badly failed to bring peace to the citizens of Karachi. It is so pathetic that six gunmen can kill 45 people and injure 16 people in a day light situation and can escape without any fear. Did police cordon off the area about 20 kms in radius immediately after the attack. Did anybody see those gunmen? Any clue ....No. bad governance and corrupt officials to blame. Karachi needs more plain cloth officers. They need to dig deep into gathering intelligence. They must go after those who have claimed responsibility. Karachi must be equipped with traffic monitoring cameras so that no criminal can escape from any route. Gunmen chose the remote area, where there were no cameras installed. The only solution to control crime to install maximum number of cameras on all main roads and streets and depoliticisze the Police department and give Police a free hand to round up the criminals, aiders and abettors.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 10:03am
You talk about Karachi, i see banners and wall chalking everyday in Islamabad by banned outfits. Sectarian material, pamphlets distribution by ASWJ is a common sight in the twin cities. Sipah e sahaba changes its name to ASWJ and no one treats them as a threat anymore? Looks like the security agencies are not really worried about this class of terrorists. The biggest threat to this country is the sectarian nature of the attacks here. This has torn apart Syria, Iraq and many others. I hope the same doesn't happen to Pakistan.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 10:08am
Get the big fishes to clean it for good. I think we are still far away from the level of judicial courage we need to fix the problem of target killing. Further delay will make it even worse.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 10:08am
The reason is the operation is not being allowed to expand.There are forces still resisting across the board operation. Governors rule or local martial law is the solution.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 10:18am
Time to act, tough on these motor bike terrorists, before its too late.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 10:21am
I really condemn this like brutality on humans...
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 10:22am
What National Action Plan? It seems the plan was just for 'public/media consumption'....
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 10:24am
Good analysis, the root cause analysis and the intelligence need to be strengthened. No operation will be successful unless it get the people trust and participation.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 10:27am
This was not a sectarian -hit but a terrorist activity. This differentiation will define how we choose to look at the incident which will feed into the narrative we choose to weave.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 10:28am
total failure of LEA.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 10:36am
To whom it bothers too bad. Rangers do not have a magic mirror to show who committed the crime, they have to interrogate lots of people to find clues therefore stop complaining and spreading confusion just co-operate.
Find and prosecute killers in Pakistan and their financiers
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 10:37am
Yesterday's event was very tragic and sad indeed but the fact that culprits succeeded to escape and not a single culprit was caught was even more disturbing. It shows how incompetent our LEAs are.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 10:37am
To whom it bothers too bad. Rangers do not have a magic mirror to show who committed the crime, they have to interrogate lots of people to find clues therefore stop complaining and spreading confusion just co-operate.
Find and prosecute killers in Pakistan and their financiers abroad.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 10:39am
@KPK
How is every thing in KPK, killings, protests and people getting killed in feud? If so fix your home first let Rangers do their job in Karachi..
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 10:41am
I agree with the writer. While we should commend the LEA's for what they've achieve till now, the operation in totality seems to me, not quite a success till yet. This is the reality & we should to accept that.
Yes, there are double standards, the operation gives clear impression that it was more political.The banned organizations who openly preach sectarianism are not properly dealt with.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 10:46am
Rangers led operation of Karachi was purely politically motivated... Politics have no relation to morals and ethics any more in Pakistan..it seems like no one cares about the innocent life that are being lost day in and day out..One of the reasons people hate politics is that truth is rarely a politician's objective. Election , money and power are.The purpose is just to rule by hook or by crook....Oh my sleepy people wake up... you are the only force that would bring the change...no one else would...neither your politicians nor your army....
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 10:54am
Rangers is doing its job.
Just imagine the extent of mega city and number of soldiers.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 10:55am
Fair to point out performance of rangers but one cannot deny that Karachi is more peaceful since rangers is given full hand.
City has powerful mafias gangs and political support, which challenge govt time to time.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 10:56am
For the opération in North Waeoristan we are dépendent on the information provided by Security agencies. But media can visit Karachi and. South Punjab.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 10:59am
Oh yes we thought that we are going to start an operation against 10k strong foreign funded and trained militants in fata and political militants in Karachi in the presence of great loving neighbours eg India Iran and Afghanistan and nothing would happen
Helloooo wake up every one stop blaming your forces enforce them
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 10:59am
No question mark at all. Our rangers are doing an excellent job and trying their best. They have already achieved a lot so far in bringing peace to Karachi. You have to understand that Pakistan is at war with criminal and extremist elements and there is bound to be such incidents as the bus attack. Lets support our law enforcement agencies in this testing time instead of throwing tantrums. Our LEAs have given many sacrifices already.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 11:02am
We are only after the small fishes that is why we are not successful yet. We listened that about 250 people killed in Karachi on directions from governor house, the liyari gang ran by former home minister, lashker e jhangvi chief has close connections with CM Punjab and many people killed on 12th may on direction of MQM and general Musharraf and so many more stories.
This because of the presence of corrupt people in power who are only in power for their personal interests.
So no one can bring peace to the country until the people of Pakistan are united to root out these people from power.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 11:03am
@Omar "You have full faith in our police and agenceis"!!!!! I think u just came from another planet.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 11:11am
How many innocents will die before any senior politician will take accountability? These PR stunts of 'taking notice' and sacking senior police officers will only fool people for a short period. It seems the police are here only to protect these 'servants' of people instead of the populace.
It is the most fundamental right of any citizen under the constitution: the right to life and liberty. If the elected representatives cannot provide these rights then please leave.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 11:13am
The problem is that our media , political parties, provincial and central governments do not look forward but point out the previous incidents.
like to day ppp CM says similar incident was at KPK school, did CM kpk resigned, kpk CM ref to GHQ attack and CM Punjab so on and so fourth.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 11:14am
Nothing can be done to stop these brutal attacks if big political parties have already made pact to spare themselves at the expense of others.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 11:19am
Rangers and Army are doing an outstanding job. Compare this to war effort against ISIS. A dozen countries and two superpowers are fighting ISIS. Pak Fauj Zindabad.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 11:25am
The one who does not remember history is bound to live through it again and again!
This is what George Santayana has said & we are the prime example of it. We are not learning any lesson. In fact, we are even not willing to learn anything.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 11:39am
Obviously the Karachi operation was more politically motivated rather than saving the population from Terrorists.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 11:41am
police office have been acting strangely lately, issuing political statements, and also there seems a point scoring trend between Rangers and Police. You will see now there will be more encounters in coming days and claims of killing of banned groups extremist and the foam settles down, until another horrible incidents happens and the same mantra will be repeated. Both forces are taking up a huge share of taxpayer money and yet no one is safe in this city
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 11:48am
Writer assumes that they are only few of them and by putting few hundred behind bar or being killed should have solved the problem. It isn't so...
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 12:09pm
The operation might not have clarity but it gave few good results. Unfortunately our political and administrative system is plagued by massive and absolute corruption, so nothing concrete can be done.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 12:09pm
Karachi operation is unlikely to succeed until political and state patronage to criminals and terrorists is removed completely. What Karachi and indeed all of Pakistan needs is a long term sustained security and political effort that targets all guilty parties including militant factions of the political parties. The situation is further complicated with strong presence of terrorists groups including sectarian ones who have affiliation with the ruling party. Such sectarian groups with political patronage having no fear of the law, in all probabilities carried out this ghastly carnage in Karachi and such attacks in future cannot be ruled out.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 12:14pm
The whole lot of government posts are filled with incompetent and thus corrupt lot. Therefore, the ultimate solution is an autonomous, competent Service Commission on both Federal and Provincial levels for vacancies as well as promotions.
Secondly the Police Force needs to be revamped with highly paid competent officers, working with a greater autonomy.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 12:15pm
Rangers and other law enforcement agencies should make their intention clear that they want to take action against the sectarian organizations and some problematic "Madarsahs" or not? Too little too late in this regard will not solve the problem.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 12:36pm
The problem with Pakistani awaam is that they don't go beyond typing a few comments and hashtags and RIPs and condemnation here and there. Do you think those involved in such heinous murders are even reading these comments? You need to do something solid on ground. Just my opinion - take it or leave it.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 12:45pm
@Indian Citizen I fully agree with you!
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 12:55pm
Do they still consider them "Strategic Asset"??
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 01:11pm
The law enforcement agencies should focus themselves on elimination of crime & crimnals without getting involved into politics. The action should be free of any discrimnation and they should avoid media appearance & statements as it will not help them.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 01:25pm
These human rights organisations have nothing better to do but criticise. One can only imagine the state Karachi would have had been in, had the Rangers not started their operation, to begin with. Constructive criticism is always good, but this is ridiculous!
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 01:36pm
"Rome wasn't built in a day"
It will take sometime to get rid of a problem decades old.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 01:56pm
Police work is more than just carrying around big guns as the rangers do....
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 02:26pm
security personnel cannot be everywhere. they are trying their best. however they should not be put under political pressure. let them do their work. any people caught should be brought to courts and their fate should be decided quickly not in years. their financers should also be caught and be brought to justice otherwise they will be always busy in catching the people pulling the trigger and not the ones behind them. i would suggest giving life in prison to the trigger puller if they uncover their network. superiors should be given capital punishment. this should be done to whichever political party they belong to. every party has good and bad members. they should not object to this.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 03:21pm
Only one solution to the menace of terrorism
LOCAL POLICE WITH LOCAL OVERSIGHT.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 03:39pm
@Omar the operation may only meet success if it operates with transparency.. otherwise it is just a tool to persecute others
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 03:51pm
Whatever be the operation objectives, taking on board the major stakeholders of Karachi with full power and responsibilities will be the only way out otherwise the operations will never yield results as desired.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 04:38pm
We hope the Rangers operations are not effected by politics. That will be the end of rangers' credibility.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 09:30pm
@Ahsan gul : Rangers are in Karachi for over 20 years or more. For whatever reason, job was definitely not well done.
Recommend
0
May 14, 2015 10:02pm
This is the result of bad processes. Rangers have been catching criminal and terrorists but our politicians have not punished them because of their political affiliations. If punishments are properly and timely handed, it will scare everyone away.
Recommend
0
May 15, 2015 08:27pm
@ilyas khan F that they are sitting is Karachi for 25 years and what they did nothing at all. Their job is to capture the killers bring them to court ,then on TV and send them to jail regardless of race, color and language. That was their job 25 years ago.
Sleeping as usual....incompetent
Recommend
0
