Another weekend in hell

This weekend has been tough for Pakistan. Tougher than usual, I mean. Several attacks resulted in the death of dozens of civilians. Probably the worst one was the suicide car bomber who targeted a market in Alpuri, near the Swat valley. At least 40 people died.

The attack reminds us that the Swat valley is far from recovered. In fact, the TTP is still able to hit hard and spread quickly. That’s why some analysts are suggesting that however tempting might sound to overhand the control from American contractors to local ones, it is not a wise move for now.

However, as tragic as 40 bodies can be, it’s even more worrying the sensation of insecurity that this brings. Alpuri is supposed to be a safe area under Pakistani control, the place from where the assault on the Swat valley was launched. But truth shows us something radically different. Not only last weekend. Two years ago, the Taliban made an offensive and gained the control of Alpuri police station, for Pakistan’s Army’s shame.

But if it is about shame on the Pakistani Army, then it cannot get bigger than an almost successful assault on their general headquarters in Rawalpindi. During the one-day siege of Pakistan’s “Pentagon”, 19 people died and some other 40 were held hostages for several hours until they were freed in a raid. The attack, apparently, was supposed to be just a diversion to relief the Taliban fighters in the Swat Valley.

The problem in Pakistan is far from solved and it won’t get a solution anytime soon. In fact, it threatens to spread through the region. Israel embassy has issued a warning to all its citizens to avoid travelling into India, for the increasing risk of Mumbai-style bombings.

And let’s face it, early warning the Taliban that the army is about to attack them won’t deter them either.





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