A large number of relatives of those slain in the latest attack on buses in Balochistan are picketing the Governor’s House in Quetta. They have brought with them the bodies of 16 out of the 20 who died on the night of May 29. The attack had a number of features that mark it as different from some others. Firstly, there was no immediate ownership of the attacks, while similar attacks have usually been swiftly claimed by one or other of the terrorist groups. Secondly — the victims. All were reportedly Pakhtun, and they were selected by their killers on that basis, rather than on the basis of sectarian adherence which again has characterised previous mass killing of bus passengers. Thirdly — the number of attackers.
Reports speak of as many as 40, and of at least two roadblocks being set up to spring the trap on the bus. As is usual Frontier Corps officers are carrying out search operations in the area, along with helicopter support and special forces. Two ‘miscreants’ are said to be dead and weapons and ammunition recovered.
Yet another mass slaying in Balochistan, and questions must be asked and answered as to why the provincial government or the various security forces have not worked out a comprehensive security plan for transport, especially inter-city buses, in the province. At the very least, consideration should be given to running a convoy system for buses. This is unlikely to be popular with bus operators, but it is an effective way of offering protection to large groups of people, and has been used on a number of occasions in the recent past in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Currently, security on the roads is reactive rather than proactive, which leaves the door wide open for those with murder in mind. This attack must also be seen as an intelligence failure. Groups of up to 40 armed men are visible, and they would have required several vehicles to transport themselves to the site of the ambush. And nobody noticed anything unusual happening? A whiff of collusion perhaps, or at least some grave suspicions.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 31st, 2015.
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