Religious hatred against minorities and bigotry runs deep inside Pakistani society. In a latest development, a historic Hindu temple situated in Ahmadpur Sial, Pakistan has been desecrated and converted into a chicken shop. The Sita-Ram temple carried immense historical and cultural significance as it was built over a century ago and served as a place of worship for the Hindus in the region. The architecture, embellished with detailed carvings as well as revered symbols, depicted a narrative of a vibrant cultural heritage that extended beyond religious divides. The conversion of the temple into a chicken shop is not merely an act of vandalism, but a clear attack on religious sentiments of minority Hindus and violation of the right to freedom of religion as it violates the sanctity of the Hindu temple where these things are banned by religious scriptures.

Additionally, the unfortunate conversion of the Sita-Ram temple is not an isolated incident. Reports of Hindu temple being desecrated in Pakistan are more often. The temples are converted into mosque, madrasa and even toilets. These incidents clearly highlight that Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a worst place where a religious minority could survive. Apart from religious persecution, the places of worship and every religious symbol is attacked at the behest of promoting radicalised form of Islam.

PTM leader Manzoor Pashteen was sent to judicial remand by An­ti-Terrorism Court Judge Abual Hasnaat Zulqarnain on Thurs­day after completion of his 7-day physical remand. Man­zoor Pashteen was arrested after indiscriminate firing on his convoy on December 5 from Cha­man, Pakistan occupied Balochistan. Later he was taken to Islamabad.

The Police captivated him for three days without any legal representation, mocking the legal rights of a free person. After three days he was presented to the court and sent to 7-day physical remand.

Now that his physical remand is over, Prosecutor Tahir Kazim pleaded in the court for physical remand to recover cell phone of Pashteen and also passwords of his social media accounts. He requested again for physical remand to which the Judge remarked that they have already given 7-day phys­ical remand of the accused . He has been sent to Adiala Jail.

While, he was taken out of the court handcuffed, Pashteen talked to the media and said that the arrest is unconstitutional. On the question of tough investigation, Pashteen said, “If I was put on the atomic bomb, I would stand by my position.”

He also urged his followers and PTM activists to continue the resistance and fight for the rights of Pashtuns.

The Attack

Barely one month after the brazen suicide terrorist attack on the Pakistan Air Force [PAF] air base at Mianwali in which three ‘non-operational’ were damaged, the 10 month old Tehreek-e-Jihad [TJP] has targeted an army ‘base camp’ in the Darban area of Dera Ismail Khan district in Khyber-Paktunkhwa’s [KP] killing 23 Pakistan Army soldiers.

In this horrific incident, TJP reportedly used an explosive laden vehicle alongwith a group of six terrorists, all of whom were [in the words of Pakistan Army’s media wing Inter Services Public Relations [ISPR] were “effectively engaged and sent to Hell.”

ISPR’s Narrative

As per ISPR, a group of six terrorists tried to storm the base camp but “The attempt to enter the post was effectively thwarted, which forced the terrorists to ram an explosive-laden vehicle into the post, followed by a suicide bombing attack.” ISPR’s account goes on to state that “The resulting blasts led to the collapse of the building, causing multiple casualties; 23 brave soldiers embraced ‘Shahadat’ [martyrdom].”

From ISPR’s account one gathers that on not being able to gain entry into the Pakistan Army post, instead of abandoning their attempt, the terrorists’ called their planners for assistance and a vehicle packed with enough explosives to demolish a building reached the spot pronto.

Questions Arise

While there should have been no reasons to doubt ISPR’s account, its narrative raises several questions. Firstly, if the terrorists had an explosive laden vehicle so handy, then why didn’t they use it for this attack in the first place? Secondly, since terrorists engage in ‘hit and run’ attacks, keeping an explosive laden vehicle as ‘backup’ doesn’t make sense.

Lastly, unlike the armed forces and law enforcement agencies which follow a policy of ‘graduated response’, terrorists the world over believe in ensuring ‘overkill’ by applying maximum force ab initio. Hence, ISPR’s claim that terrorists used an explosive-laden vehicle to facilitate entry of the suicide squad into the post when their attempt to do so was “effectively thwarted” isn’t compelling enough.

Damage Assessment

The Express Tribune has posted a 1 min 45 sec long post-attack video of the building purportedly targeted by the explosive laden vehicle [https://tribune.com.pk/story/2449762/at-least-23-soldiers-martyred-in-di-khan-attack-ispr]. In this video a large cavity in the wall and blown out windows is visible which supports the claim of an explosive laden vehicle being used. However, after seeing the video it’s apparent that ISPR’s contention of the building having collapsed due to the blast killing 23 soldiers is completely untrue.

Firstly, in the video it can be clearly seen that except for the damaged windows and a large hole in wall, the building is intact. Secondly, an overhead tank on top of the building that supposedly collapsed is clearly visible and intact- which would not have been the case had the roof collapsed. Lastly, had the roof of the building really collapsed, its interiors would be flushed with sunlight just like its surroundings. However, what one sees through five windows and one large opening are dark interiors which clearly indicate that the roof of this building is intact.

Damage Control?

ISPR has only given information regarding fatal casualties. However, The Express Tribune has quoted a state-run rescue service official named Aizaz Mehmood saying that several people were wounded and in critical condition and this puts a big question mark on ISPR’s pompous “all six terrorists were effectively engaged and sent to hell” claim. So, it’s obvious that ISPR is trying to play down the inordinately high fatalities due to terrorist action by peddling the building collapse story to cover up the reality.

This is not the first time the Pakistan Army’s media wing has been economical with the truth. Just last month it claimed that only “non-operational” aircraft were damaged by TJP terrorists during the Mianwali airbase suicide attack and the security forces suffered no casualties. If true, then this rare occurrence should certainly make it to Ripley’s ‘Believe it or Not’!

Similarly, in February 2022, while ISPR claimed that all Baloch Liberation Army fighters who had forced their way into the Frontier Corps camp in Panjgur had been eliminated, Pakistan’s then Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid admitted on TV that 4-5 attackers were still alive and engaging Pakistani security forces.

And who can ever forget the then ISPR chief Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor claim after the February 27, 2019 air combat that Pakistan had taken two Indian Air Force [IAF] pilots into custody. While Wg Cdr Abhinandan was produced before the media, DG ISPR maintained that the other IAF pilot was undergoing treatment in a Combined Military Hospital, but backtracked within just a few hours.  

Respecting Fallen Soldiers

In combat situations it’s the wish of every soldier that if death comes, it should be from the enemy’s bullet and not due to an accident like his vehicle falling into a gorge or a building or roof falling on him. So, soldiers killed by TJP terrorists being shown as having died as the result of a roof collapse just to downplay the incident and save the Pakistan Army’s top brass from embarrassment, is to say the least, an unpardonable and downright disgusting act.

But for an army that refused to accept the mortal remains of its own soldiers killed in combat during the 1999 Kargil War, disregarding sentiments of the near and dear ones of deceased soldiers is no big deal. Nevertheless, Rawalpindi must not forget that while a soldier’s death in fighting terrorists can conveniently be attributed to roof collapse, truth cannot be buried indefinitely.

Dead soldiers do deserve respect.

Israel faced its most severe combat losses in over a month on Wednesday, after an ambush in Gaza City’s ruins and faced increased diplomatic isolation as civilian casualties grew, and the humanitarian crisis worsened. Intense fighting persisted in both northern and southern Gaza, following the United Nations’ call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. Israel’s global influence is also at stake as U.S. President Joe Biden criticized Israel’s indiscriminate bombing of civilians, noting its negative impact on international support.

Meanwhile, an Israeli minister declared that the war would continue ‘with or without’ international support. Israeli warplanes conducted further bombings across Gaza, aggravating conditions for hundreds of thousands living in makeshift tents amid winter rain. The majority of Gaza’s 2.3 million population has been displaced so far.

Initially receiving global sympathy, Israel launched a campaign to eradicate the Hamas militant group controlling Gaza after an incursion on Oct. 7 which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians, and the capture of 240 hostages.

However, since then, Israel has blockaded Gaza and caused extensive destruction. Gaza’s health ministry reported over 18,600 fatalities and 50,600 injuries due to Israeli strikes since Oct. 7, with many more potentially trapped in debris or inaccessible to ambulances.

In Rafah, southern Gaza, where hundreds of thousands sought refuge, a family killed in an overnight airstrike, including several young children, lay covered in blood-soaked shrouds in the rain. One child, the size of a newborn, was wrapped in a pink blanket.

Moreover, Israel’s military continued raids in Jenin, West Bank, for a third consecutive day, which has further complicated situations for Israel at the international level. It resulted in the deaths of 11 civilians and injuring 10. Amidst all of this, pro-Palestinian hackers breached the Israeli army’s website earlier today.

Recent reports suggest that IDF has launched an attack on Hezbollah sites in southern Lebanon that has killed one terrorist. It comes a couple of days after the terrorist group attacked northern Israel with 12 lethal attacks in merely 24 hours. The tense situation underscores that peace is still a long way ahead and the crisis potentially can become protracted.