Pakistan Crushes Militants...Kudos to General Musharraf

Pakistan finally crushed the militants holed up in the Lal Maszid in Islamabad on 11 July 2007 in the morning hours in the operation Silence. Nearly 100 militants including the leader Abdul Rashid Ghazi, the cleric, were shot dead in the intense battle between the militants and the Pak soldiers including commandos and rangers, twelve soldiers also died in the shoot out (1). Actual casualties probably would be much more. Pak president General Parvez Musharraf needs to be complimented for living up to the expectations of international community (West) and not yielding for safe passage to criminals that brought shame to the nation worldwide. With this General Musharraf gained credibility as one not accepting non sense from the Mullahs who are trying to take the nation backwards to the days of founding of Islam. The military operation was taken up after all negotiations failed and it has become essential to free the hostages held in the mosque (2). Pakistan is known to be an Islamic republic. It is also known that all types of mischief makers take refuge in that country and is a safe heaven for them. It supports terrorist activities against India. AlQaeda and Taliban cadres are hiding in Waziristan and eluding arrest. Pakistan turns a Nelsons eye towards them. Then, why this sudden toughness against their own country men who are half brothers of these terrorists?

A section of people in Pakistan have been demanding that Pakistan be turned into a real Muslim nation with Shariat, infact their demand was to convert the country into Taliban type ruled State under the grip of Sunni based Wahaabism. In fact Pakistan created Taliban in Afghanistan to counter Russian occupation. It turned out the fundamentalists of first grade from the religious Madrasas in the country and there was a mass production. Finally these fundamentalists turned their guns against their own country and wanted to establish Taliban rule. It is like ghost turning against his own creator. In fact, Pakistan President has been pleading with USA about the danger of take over by Taliban if he is not supported. There is a real truth in his plea as present circumstances proved it.

Female students from the Lal mosque’s Madrasa abducted on March 27, 2007 three women accusing them of running a brothel. They were later released when they repented. The Mosque set up a Shariat court by cleric Abdul Aziz who threatened suicide attacks. He issued a fatwa against Pakistani women Minster Nilofar Bakhtiar after she was pictured hugging a parachuting instructor. The government on April 10, 2007 blocked mosques illegal FM radio station and its web site. On June 3, 2007 students from the mosque kidnapped nine people including six Chinese women and a male Chinese from a clinic on the charge of the place being a brothel. They were later released. President Musharraf charged that AlQaeda linked terrorists were in mosque,

On July 03, 2007 Pak troops exchanged fire with militant students from the mosque and ten people died. The government took a tough stand and surrounded the mosque (3).Tensions mounted as the troops built up pressure. Abdul Aziz Chief Cleric of Lal maszid tried to escape under a Burqa and was arrested. He revealed that members of banned outfit Jaish e Mohammed were in the mosque. Militants fired rockets from the mosque and exchange of fire was intensified. Militants were warned by the president to surrender unconditionally. But they refused. A senior army colonel Haroon al Islam was killed in the firing while the perimeter wall was being blown out ( 4).There was an attempted assassination on the president as his plane took off from the air port and shots were reportedly fired from an anti air craft gum mounted on nearby house. This was linked to the militant activity in the mosque (5). President warned that all would be killed if they did not surrender (6). There was no response from the mosque. Last ditch talks with militants by a specially formed committee failed (7) and finally Army staged a military attack on the mosque and in hand to hand combat killed most of the militants. Some surrendered. Cleric Aziz was shot dead in a bunker. Most of the militants who died in the battle as claimed by Wahhabis went directly to paradise as martyrs (As believed in Islam).

Credit must go to General Musharraf who has not yielded to the non sense of Pakistan bred Taliban and killed them at Lal Maszid after giving sufficient warning to them. Pakistani Taliban preferred to die than surrender, a typical craze for martyrdom for the cause of religion that guarantees paradise where they can live with host of virgins and enjoy all pleasures.

Although Pakistan is a strong ally of USA since its creation, there is a world wide acceptance including in US senate that it is the real problem for terrorism in the world than any Arab country. All international mischief are planned in Pakistan and exported for execution. Pakistani nations living in UK were involved in grave international terrorist plots in the past. It is brewing terrorism in Kashmir. It has harbored AlQaeda and escaped Taliban in Waziristan. What else proof is wanted to dub Pakistan as a terrorist and failed State. It has nuclear weapons. Possessing the atom Bombs do not make a nation respectable. It has to conduct in a fashion acceptable to international community. Otherwise it will be seen as a mere as a bully showing its nuclear weapons.

The President has been facing stiff opposition in the country for restoration of democracy. The trouble erupted after the President sacked the Supreme Court chief Justice and the clerics in the country were spreading Islamic extremism for implementing Wahaabi Taliban governing in the country. As per Afghan experience, women would be barred from education, would be veiled completely and would face flogging if refuse to abide. Males would be forced to grow beards that would be measured by scale and defaulters would be flogged. The crazy practices went to the extreme and the Afghan disaster is well known. With nuclear weapons in the hands of mad Mullahs, the world would be at great risk. Pakistan is in grave danger of falling in the hands of Taliban if president Musharraf fails to hold the country. As long as Army is behind him, he is safe. If army turns pro Mullahs there would be a serious trouble in the country. Present situation does not indicate this situation. The crushing of militants is an indication of policy of army. It is very essential that Pervez Musharraf continues in power as he is the correct person to deal with militant Islam in his country that is trying to establish Taliban rule. His recent efforts to cut AlQaeda and Taliban to size and capture them have angered the Muslim radicals in the country. Although Musharraf has his own limitations with reference to relations with India, his continued rule will arrest rise of Taliban as a force in ruling Pakistani circles and that would be good for the world. Lal mosque actions are the litmus test for the president and he has come out successfully. Kudos to him.

Bibliography.

1.Shafqat Ali, Pak storms mosque, 150 die, Deccan Chronicle, Hyderabad, AP, India, Date July 11, 2007, PP 1

2. Pak correspondent, Pervez would not let Ghazi walk away, Deccan chronicle, Hyderabad, AP, India, Date July 11, 2007, PP 12

3. Pakistan Army storms Lal Maszid, KBK infographics, Deccan chronicle, Hyderabad, AP, India, Date July 11, 2007, PP 12

4.Pak officer killed in mosque firing, Deccan chronicle, Hyderabad, Ap, India, Date July 09, 2007, PP 11.

5. 5.Zarar Khan, Mosque links found to attak on Musharraf plane, Clerics Troops killed 70 Maszid students, Decan chronicle, Hyderabad, AP, India, date July 08, 2007, PP 11

6 Shaqat Ali,.Pervez to Ghazi, Give up or die , Deccan Chronicle, Hyderabad, AP, India, datwe July 08, 2007, PP 1

7. Shafaqat Ali, Pervez for last round of talks, Deccan chronicle, Hyderabad, AP, India, Date July 10, 2007, PP 10

RELATED ARTICLES

1. Pak faces another Lal ( Red) maszid, Deccan chronicle, Hyderabad, AP, India, Date July 09, 2007, PP 11

2. Ghazi agrees to face court charges, Deccan chronicle, Hyderabad, AP, India, Date July 09, 2007, PP 11

3. Aziz revelas militants identity, Deccan chronicle, Hyderabad, AP, India, Date July 08, 2007, PP 2

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