Pakistan: Baluchistan under Siege
Two of the terrorist attacks taking place in Baluchistan
province on Saturday clearly show that some external elements are adamant at destroying
peace of the province. Baluchistan was expected to return to normalcy after
installation of an elected government. This government enjoys full support of
nationalist parties and PML-N also.
The first terrorist attack was at a historical building
commonly known as Ziarat Residency. Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah has spent
his last days there. Dawn quoting the officials has confirmed that most of the
old memorials inside the monument were destroyed, with historic photographs of
the founder burnt to the ground in the resulting fire.
The second but most brutal was the attack on bus carrying
student of the medical university killing at least eleven women after a bomb
ripped through the bus. The intensity of
blast can be ascertained from the picture taken by AFP and place at Dawn
Website.
Less than an hour later, sounds of explosions and firing spread
panic and chaos through the Bolan Medical Complex where most of the wounded had
been taken, at least three explosions were heard from inside the hospital.
Television reports said Deputy Commissioner Abdul Mansoor
Khan, who had earlier been wounded, was killed by shots to the head and chest.
According to the latest reports, three soldiers were also said to have lost
their lives in the still continuing gun-battle between security forces and the
militants.
A correspondent reporting from the hospital confirmed the
second blast occurred inside the emergency ward of the hospital. The nature of
the blasts at the hospital and the extent of the resulting damage were still
unclear.
Though, no group has so far claimed responsibility for any
of the attacks, the attack on bus and then on hospital reminds one of attacks
on the day of Chelum of Imam Hussain in Karachi. Taliban/TTP had claimed
responsibility of these attacks.
These attacks pose a big challenge for PML-N government
headed by Mian Nawaz Sharif, which wants to initiate negotiations with
Taliban/TTP. He had, as a good will gesture also supported formation of
government by nationalist parties in Baluchistan.
Some experts also say that banned outfit Janduallh, which is
supported by foreign intelligence agencies may be the mastermind. Historically,
members of this outfit have been involved in bomb attacks and killing of
innocent people. Its chief was hanged in Iran after a full trial as he was
found guilty of killing Iranians and destroying strategic installations.