Kharotabad ignominy

The incident at Kharotabad in Quetta, which the FC and police had initially tried to pass off as a heroic action against terrorists, is now emerging as something quite different. There is a growing question mark over whether the five Chechens, including three women killed were terrorists. One was seven months pregnant at the time, raising further doubts about any possibility that she was a suicide bomber. What is becoming clear is that the role played by the security forces was hardly an honourable one. Video footage captured by local residents showed that the foreign nationals were shot over and over again as they lay on the ground. There are also images of a gold chain being pocketed by a security man and other valuables being taken away. Contrary to initial claims by the FC and police, there were no suicide jackets in the vehicle and no other explosive items, though some suspicious items seem to have been found. Essentially, we were lied to. The claim by the PTI that the shooting happened after the Chechen women turned down a demand that sexual favours be offered, makes things even worse.

A full inquiry at the highest levels is required. The FC and police personnel responsible for taking bribes from the foreign nationals, robbing them and then pumping multiple bullets into their bodies as they lay helplessly on the ground must be penalised. If this does not happen there is a possibility that further such incidents will take place in the future. Given the security situation we face, we need a dedicated, disciplined and well-planned force able to take on terrorists — and also win the trust of citizens. The latter has obviously collapsed after the latest incident — the fabricated version put out and the truth that has emerged from the cameras of local people. In the age of mobile phone cameras present in almost every pocket, it has become harder to stage cover-ups.

At the same time, we also need to understand what the Chechens were doing in Quetta and whether they had any links with militants. This, too, is vital to understanding the nature of the threat we face and how it can best be countered.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 24^th, 2011.