Operation Against Bin
Laden Spells Trouble for Pakistan
"For
Islamabad, the entire affair is something of an embarrassment. Despite years of
fervent denial, Osama bin Laden was found on Pakistani soil. And now that America's
brazen operation in Abbotabad has occurred, there may be attempts to go after
key militants in other urban centers."
The death of Osama bin Laden
ends the story of a man who, over the last decade, dominated much of the global
news, even after his post-September 11 disappearance - presumably into the
mountains along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. A hero to some and a villain
to many others, bin Laden remained al-Qaeda's leader until the end, even if
there is some doubt about how much actual day-to-day command he wielded. That such
delight over his death in a U.S. operation should pour in from many parts of
the world comes as no surprise. While Washington has led the chorus, the rest
of the West has chimed in. And not unexpectedly, India and Afghanistan have
wasted no time in repeating allegations that Pakistan harbors terrorists. Within
Pakistan though, except amongst extremist groups, there will be relief that a
man whose operatives claimed lives in cities across the country is no more.
Certainly, the astonishing way
bin Laden's killing was carried out left us all gasping in astonishment. bin Laden,
and it appears at least two other people, including a woman, were killed in
what the U.S. says was a gunfight, as helicopters swooped toward the palatial home
where he, his guards, and some family members apparently lived. The estate stood
not in some remote mountain valley, but in a peaceful suburb of Abbotabad, just
kilometers from the Pakistan Military
Academy in Kakul. Pakistan's failure to detect the presence of the world’s
most wanted man is shocking, though it remains unclear what role, if any, our
security and intelligence apparatus played in the affair.
In addition, it's hard to
believe that foreign aircraft could have flown undetected and unchallenged so
deeply into our airspace. The initial delay of any kind of official response
only added to the confusion. After an emergency meeting with the president, one
Foreign Office spokesperson finally issued a statement saying that the operation
against bin Laden had been carried out in accordance with America's policy of
going after him anywhere in the world. Meanwhile, President Obama spoke of Pakistani
cooperation and discussed the operation with President Zardari and Prime
Minister Gilani, describing bin Laden’s death as a victory.
Many questions still hang in
the air. We may soon find answers to some of them, but others may long remain a
mystery.
For Islamabad, the entire
affair is something of an embarrassment. Despite years of fervent denial, bin
Laden was found on Pakistani soil. And now that America's brazen operation in
Abbotabad has occurred, there may be attempts to go after key militants in other
urban centers. It's not a comforting thought considering the implications for
our national sovereignty.
Posted by WORLDMEETS.US
Security at U.S. consular
buildings has been stepped up in all cities. There have been reports of
sporadic protests and it is yet to be seen whether they will spread. A lot may
depend on how the operation and Pakistan’s role in it are perceived. The
Western jubilation we are seeing on our TV screens should not distract us from
the fact that militancy will continue. It has not died with bin Laden. Over the
years, al-Qaeda has splintered and given rise to many other organizations.
These will not only continue, but they may attempt to take revenge. So tragically,
the dangers we face are far from over, even if the killing of bin Laden
delivers a demoralizing blow to militants everywhere.
