Pakistan: Peshawar Airport Targeted by TTP
By zaheerul Hssan
PAF Air Base and Air Port came under terrorist attack on 15 December, 2012. According to ISPR Pakistan security forces successfully responded and killed five terrorists on the outer parameter. The terrorists failed to enter into the base and airport due to immediate and courageous action of the security forces. However, According to reports, four people have been killed while 42 have been injured in the terrorist attack, while the death toll is feared to escalate due to the magnitude of the incident.
The search and clearance operations have been continues till 16 December 2012. Security forces have killed eight terrorists on the night 15 December and remaining three have been killed in the nearest village of the air port. The quick Reaction Forces of Peshawar Garrison Armed Forces encircled the house and clear the under constructing house where the terrorists were hiding themselves. Durign this operation one police person embraced “Shahadit” and three injured.
The forces very bravely destroyed the explosive laden vehicle of the terrorists on the night 15 Decmber 2012.
TTP spokes while speaking from an unknown location has accepted the responsibility of attacking PAF Base Peshawar. Police officials said that three of the rockets fell in the residential University Town, Jamrud Road while one fell inside the airport. Several building has also been affected in the incident and their glass shattered due to the effect of the blasts.
A flight from Karachi en route Peshawar has been redirected to Pakistani capital Islamabad. According the officials ‘security alert’ has been declared at Karachi, Lahore, Quetta and Islamabad Airports.
Earlier too on 16 August 2012, nine armed terrorists equipped with guns and rocket launchers attacked Pakistani air force base before dawn (2:00 Am). At that time too Air Force commandos successfully countered and killed all terrorists. Meanwhile‚ high ups of the PAF are in close contact with Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf and are being regularly informed about the situation. The Prime Minister has appreciated the security forces timely response against the militants. Anyhow, Pakistani security forces were on the state of high alert after receiving the information of likely terrorist attack. The coward terrorists have tried to attack in the wee hours of the sacred night. The security arrangements consisting of four tiers have been able to, not only stop the terrorists on outer side of the air port but killed them there and then. The base was already on high alert state and the base authorities have made ample security arrangements to repulse such an attack. The armed forces have yet again risen to the occasion and gave a befitting reply to the enemies of Islam and Pakistan. Loius Kossuth once said, ‘’it is surmounting difficulties that make heroes’’ well done Pakistan, well done Pakistan Armed Forces. Thus, defeating and killing of terrorists in such a short span of time, has again proved the alertness, valiant and heroic act of brave soldiers of Pakistani security forces. Anyhow, attack on Peshawar and Kamra bases would be seen in the back drop of presence of US led ISAF forces.
In short, attacking Peshawar Base after targeting Malala Yousafzai could be the part of TTP current move against Pakistan. Anyhow, security forces are determined to fight back the foreign sponsored terrorism. According to ISPR, price paid in fight against terrorism by Army / FC since 2001 till to date, Shaheed – 3109 and Wounded – 9681.
The terrorism in FATA, Balochistan and KPK will likely to continue due to U.S. forces presence in the region. It is advocated here that the nation should stand up with security forces with a view to defeat terrorists and condemn those elements which are providing them shelters.
The writer can be approach via zameer36@gmail.com
