The latest toll from the terrorist assault in the city of Lahore is now 57 dead, 136 wounded.(the News) One suicide bomber detonated their explosives next to as many people as possible at a military site, killing and injuring mostly civilians. Less than three minutes later, as people rushed to the scene, another suicide bomber struck. Other smaller explosions apparently followed. Most suicide bombers in Pakistan are between the ages of 12-18.(CNN)
It's the deadliest terrorist attack in Pakistan this year. It's a reminder that we aren't the only ones who are being targeted at home and in neighboring Afghanistan.
The Taliban claimed credit for a different attack in Lahore on Monday. Don't be shocked if they claim credit for Friday's bloodshed. And what is the Pakistani state doing about the Taliban? Well, allowing a bunch of false announcements regarding terrorists to be made from Adam Gadahn to Qari Zia Rehman. Bill Roggio of the Weekly Standard affiliate Long War Journal continues to vent his frustration, and it appears to be for good reason.
And the Pakistani military? They are trying to dig in down in South Waziristan.(New York Times) Well, the Mehsud-regions of South Waziristan, that is. Mullah Nazir, the Taliban commander of Wana and surrounding areas, still remains in power since he signed a peace deal with the Pakistani military. According to Long War Journal more Taliban/AQC leaders were killed in the South Waziristan strongholds of Mullah Nazir than any other Taliban commander.
You would think that a country so terrorized would be less willing to compromise. The Pakistani strategy, there really is one, is one of increments. Little tiny baby steps away from their footsie with terrorists is the best I'm seeing. As for these "pro-government" Taliban that the Pakistani army has tolerated such as Hafiz Gul Bahadar in North Waziristan(NOT Mullah Baradar), who are known to be sheltering members of the dreaded TTP and al Qaeda Central along with the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, there seems to be only one reliable tool against them; drones. If the Pakistani army truly despises these drone strikes as much as they claim(they don't) they would eliminate the need for them by finally confronting their cancer-spreading little pet that has run from its leash in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.(and the Quetta region of Baluchistan bordering South Waziristan)
The war in Pakistan won't wait for the spring anymore than war waited for the end of winter in Afghanistan. If Friday's atrocity isn't answered in, say, the Orakzai tribal agency real soon, than Pakistani citizens should really start questioning their military leaders. Despite all the victory dances over Swat(none of the most wanted Taliban leaders from the region have been captured or killed) and South Waziristan(again, none of the most wanted Taliban leaders were captured or killed. again, only happened after peace deals negotiated with the Waziri Taliban commanders Bahadar/Nazir. and only happened after U.S. drones killed their leader Baitullah Mehsud.), the Pakistani military has a long way to go in its war against militancy. They can expect more ungodly violence like what happened in Lahore throughout the spring and summer. They should not be so afraid to respond to such unjust violence.