The security arrangements in place were nothing more than window dressing.
MELBOURNE: Ejaz Haider has hit the bulls eye. The security arrangements in place were nothing more than window dressing. It’s about time we started calling a spade a spade and did some honest soul-searching. What is the level of training imparted to the security personal guarding PNS Mehran and similar installations? Have they ever fired these weapons? When was the last time they used their weapons at the firing ranges, if they have ever visited any? Are these regular combatants? Or are they civilians (night watchmen) dressed in outfits and stationed at control points and along the perimeter as adornments?
Considering the growing dwellings at the rear of the base, is there a system of regular patrolling along the perimeter? Were there observation towers to detect intrusions from the direction of the Malir river bed at the rear of the base? Is there a reaction system to counter the threats? Was it tested and brainstormed in a model or mock scenarios?
Is the so-called ‘Rapid Action Force’ trained for the task and aware of the action to be taken or is it a collection of names and designations put together to meet a policy requirement?
I’m sure there will never be an honest answer to these questions, especially going by what the navy chief has said. Also, why weren’t these precious aircraft stationed at bases further away from dense populations, such as say Pasni and Gwadar?
Rashid Khan
Published in The Express Tribune, May 26th, 2011.
