Core Author: Nayyar Afaq
M.A Economics (PU), M.Sc Physics (PU), M.Phil Physics (QAU)
Published by: thinktank.Pak1stanFirst.com
Edited by: Pakistan First Think-tank
ISLAMABAD, October 27 2008: Marriott hotel, Islamabad, the sign of glory, architecture, services and status is now nothing but a dump and mark of devastation, with blood, dust and smoke filled with tears, cries and smell of burnt human flesh. The footage broadcasted on television channels with a tag of ‘PG’ are just an indicant of how miserably the suicide bomber has turned a hell around in pursuit of paradise for him. After 20th September’s tragedy, It’s useless to question the security lapse when the security guards of hotel themselves are among the list of dead ones. It’s also another difficult quest for security agencies to trace the suspicious truck, when already dozens of such vehicles are running freely on roads. It’s also of no use to just present statistics of suicide bombing happened so far in these years. It’s time to make a detailed anatomy, the suicide anatomy. Who are the godfathers running this suicide factory; the planners, the financiers, the strategists, the facilitators, the motivators and the fuel to Paradise? What chain of events has brought Pakistan to such a self destructive mode? Is the motive of a man with suicide jacket deals in the short cut to heaven or there are other dimensions too? Is there any way to dismantle human bomb etc.
Historic prospective:
The phenomenon of Soviet-Afghan war in 80’s is self evident. Once, a journalist asked President Ronald Regan about the veracity of initiating Soviet war after a failed assignment of Vietnam War. Regan replied, “We would never lose Soviet war, because this time we have launched Jihad”. So, our intelligence services and CIA joint ventured a magnum opus thriving operation to devastate the Soviets. 20 to 30 thousand ‘mujahideens’ were brought from all over the world in Afghanistan. They were heroes for Pakistan, Afghanistan and US at that time. Hollywood made many propaganda movies to dedicate the valiant people of Afghanistan. Later, General Zia-ul-Haq killed in mysterious plane crash. Soon after it, democratic governments took charge. Stage was well prepared for USA to say good bye, leaving the Afghan land without introducing reforms or curing the wounds of Afghans, who suffered 10 years of war. The vacuum left was most vulnerable for anyone anywhere to come here, start training for militancy and become danger for peace. Pakistan was left alone. The so called ‘Mujahideens’ turned themselves to war lords, and started ‘Jihad’ among themselves. The supply of dollars was stopped. Battle field was open to be conquered, and lot of militant groups organized themselves to get the land occupied. I have no doubt that to retreat Soviets in Afghanistan was what required in our national interest at that time, but the most sensitive slip-up in all that phenomenon was the way the term ‘jihad’ had been coined, without thinking of the after effects.
The relic was natural. About 3.5 million Afghans killed in war. The 4 millions of refugees were to be accommodated in sole by Pakistan. Our social fabric was disturbed badly. For the first time, Pakistan was introduced by Kalashnikov culture and narcotics. The victorious ‘mujahideens’ were warmly embraced at our tribal areas. They have been offered by the tribes to get married there and breed a new generation with blood having ‘gun powder’ inside. Under such an environment, it was safe refuge for any group to label itself a Jihadi organization, and to start asking for ‘chanda’, armed themselves and to start turmoil at any level. Later in 1995, Talibans were re-emerged. The society mind set polarized with sectarian biases opened the arms well to accept them. Since, all that was assumed to be featured by religious motives, every one feared to oppose them. Thousands have been killed by clashes among them. That all what we reaped was in accordance with what we have sown. We mixed up state and religion in sensitively careless manner earlier, in 1970’s and later in Zia regime, all Jihadist ideologies were being sponsored by state machinery. To grow sympathies for jihadists on youth scale, changed academic syllabus introduced. It might be the most effective strategy on short term scale to secure the national interests regarding possible Soviet invasion at us, but that strategy was disaster on long term scale. It proved itself to be a germ pool of plasmodium of religious intolerance and militarization under the cover of Jihad.
Like an uncontrolled reaction at a laboratory, we observed the bi product of that dollar sponsored ‘Jihad’, in the form of sectarian extremist groups. Harkat-ul-Jihaad-ul-Islami (1980), Tehreek-e-Nifaaz-e-Fiqa-e-Jaafria (1980), Harkat-ul-Mujaahedeen (1985), Sipaah-e-Sihaaba (1985), Harkat-ul-Insaar (1993), Sipaah-e-Muhammad (1993), Lashkar-e-Jhangwi (1994), Jaish-e-Muhammad (2000) are just few of them. With the feel of blood thirst among each other, such organizations started making turmoil in the country, and openly inflame the common masses to join them for some so called religious motives. Thousands of lives lost in conflicts among them. Our roads tasted the drops of human blood. Security agencies appeared standing helpless in front of such a violent agitation. We failed to find any spark in democratically elected governments to root out that evil. Regrettably many of the politicians including the ones in government or in opposition provided the protection to them, as well.
The madrassas were the best breeding field to get the human resource to be used by such organizations. Few political parties with some religious titles were safety valves for such madrassas, involved in the activities other than just study. Since, the students of these madrassas are always most vulnerable to be brainwashed by such groups and organizations, it was easy to engage them in any bloody turmoil for their own vested interests. Thousands and thousands lost their lives in the clashes, and strategy to support the Jihadists during 80’s turned out as a horrible nightmare for the nation in 90’s.
When General Pervez Musharraf took charge of Pakistan in a bloodless coup, situation was at worst. Police was helpless to struggle against the well established network of Jihadists. From 12th October 1999 till 14th August 2001, there were 55 casualties in Karachi only and 61 in FATA in sectarian clashes. In June 2001, terrorists killed Shoukat Raza Mirza Managing Director (Pakistan State Oil) PSO and his driver in Karachi. Soon after it, Syed Zafar Hussain Zaidi-Director Research Laboratories, Ministry of Defense was killed. Lashkar-e-Jhangwi claimed the responsibility of both. Bold steps were required to curb that Frankenstein. Such steps are difficult to expect from any democratically elected government having dapper designed suit. General Musharraf-a man in (Special Services Group) SSG jacket didn’t waste an opportunity to coin all such moves to undo the wrongs of his predecessor General Zia-ul-Haq. On 14th August 2001, he banned Laskhar-e-jhangwi, and later on 12th January 2001, he announced a ban on Sipaah-e-Sihaaba Pakistan and Tehreek-e-jaafria Pakistan. This was the time when already a threat to kick Pakistan back on ‘stone age’ was floating in the thick atmosphere of Islamabad’s policy makers, and India had deployed his army at border.
To become an ally of Western world in ‘war against terror’ was the only choice for Pakistan, but that was an unpopular decision. On one hand, government had to deal with the external threats and on the other, had to face the public opposition. Election year was ahead, too. Tribal areas were the most horrible challenge to government, from where the cross border infiltration was evident. Usama Bin Laden, regardless of confession of involvement of Al-Qaida behind 9/11 attacks, was the most popular old guy for the men on streets. This all was like a horrible dream for any government, but Pervez Musharraf-a man holding most toughest office in the world, as said by ‘Times’ magazine, faced them audaciously, and brought Pakistan out of sudden death like situation.
Here I would stop, and ask your attention over the chain of events.
It was 24th December 1999, when Indian Airlines passenger plane flight-814 took off from Khatmandu and after being hijacked by few masked men landed at Qandahar. Hijackers demanded India to release Mulla Masood Azhar, Mushtaq Zargar and Umer Shaikh. At 31st December 1999, Wajpaayi government surrendered and Indian foreign minister Jaswant Singh brought with him these 3 persons in a special plane to Qandahar to resolve that issue. Now things happened dramatically. Mulla Masood Azhar launched ‘Jaish-e-Muhammad within few weeks after being released. Zargar and Umer Shaikh went underground. Later in late 2001, famous ‘shoe bomber’ development took place. Daniel Pearl-South Asia bureau chief of ‘Wall street Journal’ arrived on 29th December 2001 to Karachi to make a detailed story to publish regarding ‘shoe bomber’. He met various members of ‘Jaish-e-Muhammad’ and all of a sudden on 23rd January 2002, every news channel started breaking news that Daniel is kidnapped by Jihadists. This was disastrous for Pakistan. President Musharraf visit to USA was just ahead in few days. Kidnappers were sending threatening emails to ‘Wall street Journal’ with the photographs of Daniel. Biggest search operation of history of Pakistan was made to rescue him. Later, Umer Sheikh surrendered himself to police on 5th February 2002. Investigations started. When President Musharraf was in USA, on 14th February, all the international press was quoting Umer Shaikh, “Daniel is dead”. How big was all that embarrassment.
Coincidence or Perfection?
Have you observed the timing associated with these events? Is it a mere co-incidence or perfection of the plan? Now, let us observe another event. President Musharraf was attending the UNO General Assembly in November 2001 and war against terror was the hottest assignment for the world leaders present there. Meanwhile, Hamid Mir-a journalist from Pakistan published an exclusive interview of Usama Bin laden, claiming, “Al-Qaida has nukes”. We can imagine the position of President Musharraf standing among the world leaders in UNO to defend Pakistan. Now, link this situation with another visit of President Musharraf of USA. It was September 2003, when George Tenet-the CIA Director asked Musharraf about the nuclear proliferation from Pakistan. This again was a hard test for leadership. Even recently, just a day before President Zardari’s departure to USA, there happened Marriott’s blasts and responsibility is claimed by an unknown organization, ‘Fidayaan-e-Islam’. USA blamed Al-Qaida to be possibly involved behind the blasts. Is it all mere set of frequent co-incidences? It’s difficult to swallow that pill. Surely the entire world has changed after 9/11, and what has been written above is the sequel to a bigger conspiracy behind the plane attacks. There is no iota of doubt regarding the involvement of Al-Qaida and Bin Ladin behind 9/11, yet it’s not digestible that few people residing at mountains, having no training of aviation etc. are sole responsible of all that. Surely, some bigger intelligence slur in curtain.
9/11 Aftershocks:
The role of Talibans in Afghanistan was one of vital importance for Pakistan. Taliban regime was not supportive to India at all, and that was what best suited to Pakistan. After 9/11, Taliban regime was kicked out and CIA sponsored-Karzai government was put on board. Soon after it, we found the reorganization of separatists’ movement in Baluchistan. Baluch liberation army (BLA) and its cohorts asking openly for establishment of ‘Greater Baluchistan’ are getting full support from Afghanistan and India. This year, official holiday is given at 15th August to synchronize it with the independence day of India, but nowhere in national media, is reported. New democratic government is releasing the militants of BLA etc. and withdrawing the charges, giving them full choice to restructure themselves to design more rebellion in Baluchistan. In Swat, Parachanar and tribal areas etc., crystal clear evidences are there of the involvement of RAW and CIA. Let’s have some deep insight.
All the investigation reports for suicide attacks in Pakistan indicate the link to tribal belt. The center of gravity of all the terrorism in Pakistan is Bait-ullah-Mehsud at South Waziristan. The supreme commanders of ‘Tehreek-e-Taliban-e-Pakistan’ and Baluch separatists are working in full support by CIA and RAW.
The rationale is self evident, as given below;
1- Regardless of all the intelligence information sharing by ISI, Baitullah Mehsud is never hit by NATO. He daily enjoys using satellite phones, yet supposed not to be traced by a super power. On 24th May 2008, Baitullah conducted an open press conference. That day, CIA not hit him, even after knowing 6 coordinated positions, given by ISI.
2- The most frequently used material in suicide attacks is “C4 Plastic explosive”. It is available nowhere in Pakistan. Investigation reports claim that the factory making suicide jackets run in neighboring country and then are given to their assets, residing at tribal areas.
3- At the border, there are many consulates of India, which are supposed to work as intelligence bases.
4- Many killed militants of ‘Tehreek-e-Taliban-e-Pakistan’ are found to be Hindus, not having ‘Khatnaas’ even. The same has been investigated for many militants in Swat.
5- NATO claims that there is cross border terrorism to Afghanistan from Pakistan, but yet not allowing Pakistan to seal Afghan border either by fencing or mining. Earlier, when Pakistan introduced bio-Metric cards to control cross border movement, Afghan side not encouraged this move.
6- After many years of military operations, still we are unable to curb militants completely. Surely, the finances and weaponry support is given to Baitullah Mehsud and his men from some other outfit as well. Last year, 300 troops of Pakistan army surrendered against Baitullah Mehsud. Surely, some one more advanced than our army and intelligence agencies is giving information and support to Baitullah Mehsud. After about couple of months, only 211 are released. Remaining ones are killed and slaughtered brutally by militants. Even videos are available of such horrible act. Please note here that contrary to Mehsud led Talibans, Mullah Umer led Afghan Talibans were known to be rigidly against photography etc.
7- The involvement of Abdullah Mehsud-the brother of Baitullah Mehsud in killing of Chinese Engineers also is an indicant that under the label of anti-USA organizations much is going in pipeline to disturb relations of Pakistan to a friendly nation-China.
8- In Swat and Parachanaar, many militants are arrested in uniform of Afghan army.
9- BLA is controlled by Brahmdaagh Bugti, having known connections with Afghan intelligence agencies and RAW. There are known video evidences to Pakistan’s intelligence agencies. These are also shown to Admiral Mike Mulin along with Baitullah–CIA collaboration.
The clones of Talibans:
Now it’s time to smell the difference between Talibans and clones of Talibans. Original Talibans are what supposed to be led by Mullah Umer. Baitullah led ‘Tehreek-e-Taliban’ is actually a clone sponsored by CIA and RAW. All the prominent indications are written above. However, there is no doubt that the people supporting and joining such organizations have full sympathies with the original ideologies of Talibans, and they feel proud in announcing themselves Talibans. The conspiracy lies only at the upper level of their command. The people belonging to lower cadre have no sense of understanding of all that.
The strategic importance of introduction of that clone in Pakistan is to get few apparent objectives. For example;
1- To establish USA strategic bases in our tribal areas.
2- To have pro-Indian regime in full control of Afghanistan.
3- To sideline the interests of China and Russia.
4- Destabilizing Pakistan and neutralizing Pakistan’s nuclear capability.
5- To make Afghanistan a hub for Opium production. A major share of drug internationally comes from Afghanistan. Don’t forget that US intelligence has announced Karzai’s brother as 2nd leading drug dealer.
6- To sabotage IPI (Iran-Pakistan-India)pipeline project and to root out Gawadar port.
Behind the suicide:
After having such analysis, now it’s time to focus only on suicide phenomenon in Pakistan. There are multi-folded factors running parallel behind that horrible human bomb industry.
First of all, as discussed earlier, the explosive material for blasts is not something to collect easily without having main stream linkages with the key players involved. Main key organization is ‘Tehreek-e-Taliban-e-Pakistan’, which takes the responsibility of most of suicide attacks in Pakistan and openly challenges for many more attacks. All other leading militant groups covering themselves in the label of religion have their tentacles in romance with Baitullah Mehsud. They are involved in militancy, training for ‘jihad’, killing army and security agencies, blasting girls’ school etc.
Secondly, the financiers and motivators involved are sponsored by anti-state elements, residing both within Pakistan and outside. Regarding external sponsors, much has been stated above. As for as inner ones is concerned, few are those who were involved in Soviet-Afghan war and later in emergence of Talibans in 90’s. Now, they are serving for the greater game plan of CIA, by motivating these Jihadis. They are well known as defense and strategic analysts. They openly speak against USA, and provoke Jihadists to keep on performing their ‘holy mission’. They inject dreams of ‘Islamic Renaissance’ in their minds. They appear frequently in national media. They brainwash their audiences that Pakistan army is killing our own people to appease USA. Hence, they demoralize the army and nation and mislead that this is not our war. Similarly, few are from political parties, receiving dollars to carry on vested agendas in Pakistan. Interestingly, they are also known for their harsh stance against USA. They support and provide covers to madrassas involved in militancy. In addition, media channels and many columnists are known for their biases towards Pak army. They speak against President Musharraf’s policies, they criticize intelligence agencies, and try to make perceptions that Pakistan is serving for interests of USA. Our 24/7 media has never started any campaign against these radical fanatics. They tried justifying the militancy and Red mosque terrorists by blaming President Musharraf and army of everything. In this way, they provoke feelings in favor of jihadists. For instance, a most popular columnist ‘Javed Choudhray’ has once openly favored Molvi Fazlullah (Swat), Abdul Rasheed Ghazi, and Baitullah Mehsud, saying that they are fighting for Justice.
Thirdly, the most important is the supply of human resource for suicide blasts. There is no fraction of doubt at all, that the only motive running in blood of a suicide bomber is ‘religious’. Symbiosis of religious extremism and terrorism is terrible. Suicide bombers believe from their heart and soul that they were following divine path and fulfilling a holy mission. The videos are available to express their final thoughts before going to deadly mission. You would fail to find any sense of fear at their faces. They embrace their trainer and colleagues very peacefully and they all congratulate them of ‘paradise’. Such mindset is easy to design in madrassas system. The students there are usually from lower class. Their parents can’t afford them to send at some good schools or institute. The economic and financial pressure forces them to send their kids to religious centers. Moreover, such students have very often low IQ. So, it looks a good choice for their families to engage them in any madrassas, assuming it a service to religion as well. The strict ideologies taught at madrassas make such students totally away from main stream mode of life. They appear fully isolated. Knowing that they have no scope of an established and prosperous future, their psychology disturbs miserably. Outcome is natural. There emerges a sense of revenge and hatred for society. Most of madrassas are featured by sectarian and hate literature. The madrassas administrators use these students for their own interests. Whenever there is some sensitive or emotional issue, they use these students to make protests on roads and streets. The poor guys have no other choice available either. The biggest example is of ‘Lal Masjid’. The students, both male and female are used by the clerics for all the illegal activities freely. They were too indoctrinated that they started dreaming for ‘martyrdom’. The cleric arrested while escaping in ‘burqa clad’ is the most painful and regrettable example to expose them. The investigations regarding recent Wah POF suicide blasts which killed about 100, announced the involvement of a madrassa from ‘Akora Khattak’.
Here, one important thing must be added. There is also an ‘Economic’ motive. Suicide trend is also established like an industry. There are perpetrators who channelize suicide bombers and market to other groups. Not only this, such producers also blackmail the governments of these human bombs, in order to collect bounties of money.
How to dismantle a human bomb:
If we need to dismantle a human bomb, we have to follow a multi-prong strategy. This must be a win-win strategy, as we have no other choice. On one side, at tribal belt, must put on board the military actions supported by tribal elders. Secondly, speed up the developmental progress in tribal belt and providence of better life opportunities to add the people in main stream. Thirdly, education must be revolutionized to enlighten their conscience. Fourthly, there is an urgent need to bring our madrassas to the main stream. For it, all the madrassas must be registered and the record of students would be shared to government as well. The syllabi of madrassas must be checked out and revamped to bring according to the modern age requirement. Strong checks and balances must be made to stop any trace of militancy, to avoid more Lal masjids. The illegally occupied and expanded mosques and madrassas must be monitored. Moreover, strong check over any sort of hatred literature or sermons and misuse of loud speakers must be taken. Friday sermons must need to be documented. Steps should be taken to enlighten the madrassas student by the availability of multimedia facilitation to give them the broader view of world we are living in. Fifthly and perhaps most important is to bring awareness in masses to stand up against such obscurantist ideology and to oppose these fanatics loudly. All these steps if taken simultaneously would bring a positive change in Pakistan. Remember we have already wasted much time, and now our picture internationally is not too smart against terrorism and extremism.
Pakistan at Cross roads:
Pakistan is standing at the cross roads of her fate. Nation has to choose the one. It may lead to blind end, or may lead to the bridges of continued existence. Pakistan is sandwiched between 2 fascists’ ideologies; one followed by extremists and other followed by West in the name of ‘war against terror’. We have to hoard ourselves from both of them. While frightened of USA attacks over tribal areas of Pakistan, we must not forget that if USA stops acting like, even then terrorists would not leave us at peace. We, as a nation must stand up together, and join hands together for ‘Pakistan first’. Only then we can be able to resist these extremists and terrorists and be able to change the international perceptions against Pakistan. After being united, second most important thing is to show no trace of despondency. Pakistan army is alert 24 hours for the nation. People of tribal areas are also now fighting along Pakistan army against the terrorists. Now, there remains no doubt that this is OUR War and we have to fight it. Pakistan is not meant for defeat. We must win. We must win for ourselves and for our future generations.
Nayyar Afaq
M.Sc Physics (PU), M.A Economics (PU), M.Phuil Physics (QAU)
Islamabad, Pakistan
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