Failures in Our ‘National Security’, Who’s Responsible?

By: Haroon Baloch

A vindictive security lapse around Sunday midnight ensued into huge military loss exposing strengths of Pakistani national security, leaving thousands of questions in the minds of countrymen and answering alike-wise to enemies. Pakistan Navy sacrificed around $75 million P-3C Orions and 10 lives during assault with anti-state elements. Physical damage may be measureable but the actual loss in terms of disclosure is indeterminate.

Frequency of such attacks on security forces has rapidly increased and strategy has changed during the past 18 months or so, which also included two major assaults on Pakistani security forces where enemies or so called terrorists succeeded in penetrating deep into their camps and engaged security forces in combats.

First attempt was made on General Headquarter of Pakistan Army in Rawalpindi back in October 2009 when terrorists breached security check points while disguising themselves into army uniforms and using fake identities. 11 troops were martyred and operation lasted for 22 hours. Sunday episode was second major one when a dozen foreign elements made hidden entry into Mehran Naval Airbase in Karachi, damaged national assets, and claimed 10 lives.

It is a big failure of our security forces, as well as intelligence agencies knowing the fact country is facing threats on internal as well as external fronts. Claiming victory against those who are few in numbers is false notion. Victory belongs to enemies, who breached the security of a based which is protected by 1100 professionally well prepared military cops. Floating such ideas is nothing but misleading the nation.

Media, particularly TV channels played a pathetic role while reporting whole event and broadcasting footages. Criticizing government, forces, policies and telling truth is of course duty of journalists, but staking national interests is not our right. Freedom of speech does not mean media is allowed to broadcast footages of inside base, exposing the blueprints of our sensitive installations and assets.

Analyzing both these major attempts, one thing is common, which is guerilla tactics terrorist used against security forces that ultimately resulted in huge damage. Situation is alarming for Pakistan, especially for politicians since army is stick to her duties and is engaged on many fronts. External and internal threats to country’s existence are enough to rule out the option of another military coup. Ground for politicians is open to play, but a fair game that means strengthen national institutions and setting up a transparent governance system. But national security is the foremost priority to ensure its foolproof intactness.

Absolutely, no doubt exists when possibility of civil war is discussed in these circumstances. Pakistan is heading towards civil war and external forces are underway. Target is drawing new lines on territorial boundaries, evacuating nuclear assets from an Islamic nation-state and preventing soon expected shift in power corridors.

Occurrences demand from politicians to show their characters. Internal conflicts need to be resolved on priority bases, so that security forces can concentrate more vigorously on borders and external threats. Settling the Balochistan crises is amongst one of the key issues that are dragging us towards civil war. It is all resources’ battle, while dirty games are involved to grab them. Nation must understand Balochistan is the lifeline of country, survival and significance in the world belongs to this piece of land.

Secondly, to dispose of the radicalism, education is the right tool to alleviate the constriction of minds. This is not something which is manageable by the use of force; investment in the right direction is the requisite and that is enlightening the brains.

Formulation of national as well as foreign policies is the exclusive right of elected representatives and not the headache of army, but it does not mean they shouldn’t be consulted. Military think tanks are always in better position when it comes to discuss regional interests.