Double threat

The deadly Karachi bombing and other terror incidents preceding the SCO summit strained the Sino-Pak relations, and once again exposed the failure of the country's intelligence agencies

- SHANTANU MUKHARJI

Pakistan is once again rocked by a string of terror assaults, unsettling its security and intelligence agencies. Such violence, which preceded the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, was particularly disturbing. In a much-publicised event where many international dignitaries were expected to attend, the situation was indeed rattling. This also displays the devastating extent of the terror threat that has lately engulfed Pakistan.

The latest terror attack occurring through a very powerful blast near the Karachi Airport (October 6), killing two Chinese nationals has created quite a furore. The foreigners were obviously the primary target of this terrorist attack as a convoy of Chinese workers was passing through the area. As of now, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for this misadventure. There is a strong finger of suspicion on its exclusive Majeed brigade in carrying out this attack. Almost around the same time, a number of security personnel were killed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Baluchistan on October 5. Also, 13 army and other members of the security forces were killed in separate clashes in Northern Waziristan and Kurram and three security personnel lost their lives in a daring roadside bomb attack in Kalat.