DURING a failed attack on the Minhas base of the Pakistan Air Force at Kamra, nine terrorists were killed while an employee of the PAF was martyred and two others, including the base commander, were injured. …The aim of the attack was to damage any of a variety of aircraft at the base but fortunately, only one plane was hit by the rocket fired by the terrorists.

This was not the first time that suicide bombers have attempted to target cantonments and airbases of the armed forces. The Federal Investigation Agency and Intelligence Bureau centres in Lahore have also come under such attacks in the past. In general, such centres are considered well-guarded and even planning to attack such a secure installation is considered beyond apprehension, but the ground realities are otherwise. This speaks volumes for the extent to which terrorism has gripped our country.

The argument that the terrorists have been spreading Islam has lost its meaning. After being brainwashed, suicide bombers are converted into people without reasoning and their sole aim in life remains to kill others by blowing themselves up. Unfortunately, Gen Zia exploited Islam for political gains and tried to prolong his regime by mesmerising and convincing several in the armed forces that religion could only be served through destroying their own institution and by creating chaos (in the country). Recently, an army officer and his accomplices have faced a court martial for their links with a terrorist organisation. A deserter is said to be involved in the Kamra incident.

A large-scale operation is required to purge the armed forces of terrorist elements. It is high time that people with an aggressive approach to spreading Islam through suicide bombing are properly rehabilitated, otherwise recurrences cannot be ruled out.—(Aug 17)

Selected and translated by Zaheer Mahmood Siddiqui.