Nur Khan Airbase faces aerial firing threat

Officials seek record of gun owners within 5km radius of key base

RAWALPINDI:

The vicinity of Nur Khan Airbase continues to witness incidents of aerial firing, raising concerns among the base administration. During one such incident, a stray bullet from aerial firing struck the windshield of a service mechanical vehicle parked inside the base.

Sources privy to the matter have revealed that the recent incident, along with previous occurrences in February this year, has prompted the base administration to label the situation as perilous for the engineers responsible for the maintenance and care of the aircraft and valuable assets at the base.

In response, the base administration has requested the assistance of Rawalpindi CPO Khalid Mehmood Hamdani and Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Hasan Waqar Cheema to enhance security arrangements in the vicinity of Nur Khan Airbase.

Additionally, they have urged the compilation and sharing of a record containing information on individuals possessing firearms within a 5-kilometer radius of the airbase with the relevant authorities. Regular search operations are also recommended to be conducted.

Sources further said reports indicate that several months ago, during the Basant festival, intense aerial firing and kite flying took place near Nur Khan Airbase. These activities not only caused delays in the departure of Prime Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif's aircraft but also resulted in a bullet striking the roof of a vehicle within the prime minister's security convoy stationed at the base. Fortunately, the driver remained unharmed.

Subsequently, the base administration held meetings with the Rawalpindi commissioner and the Rawalpindi RPO, apprising them of the situation.

Large-scale inquiries and search operations were initiated. Surprisingly, despite these efforts, incidents of aerial firing near Nur Khan Airbase persisted.

In a notable incident on February 24, 2023, intense aerial firing and kite flying occurred in areas surrounding the airbase, including Fazal Town, Khurram Colony, Muslim Town, Dhok Gangal, Dhok Lalyal, Chah Sultan, Dhok Kabha, Dhok Elahai Bakhsh, and Dhok Farman. These activities not only disrupted flight operations but also resulted in an injury to a PAF official. During that time, over four hundred bullet cases and a substantial quantity of chemical-laced cords were recovered near the airbase.

The authorities have urged CPO and DC to instruct the relevant officials to continue search operations in the areas surrounding the airfield to prevent aerial firing and other illicit activities.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 30^th, 2023.