Pakistan faces multiple terror attacks within 48 hours. Now, a suicide bombing targeted a military camp in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
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00:00Back to back terror attacks in Pakistan Now a suicide bomb attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
00:23Second major attack in Pakistan in 48 hours
00:43Several hostages butchered in Balochistan
00:54Senior political leader says 60% of land not under Pakistan government control anymore
01:02Pakistan army pledges to fight back
01:25But can Pakistan army fight on two fronts?
01:29Let's start our focus on India first
01:36There's been another major terror attack in Pakistan
01:38The terror strike has taken place in tank in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
01:42Ten terrorists have targeted the Frontier Corps camp in Jandola in KPK
01:47Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan
01:49It's a suicide squad that hits the military camp
01:52And it's detonated its vehicle
01:54Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan terrorists have hit an army camp in KPK
01:59Good evening, I'm Gaurav Sawant
02:00The situation in Pakistan appears to be going from bad to worse
02:05First the audacious attack on the Jaffar Express from Quetta to Peshawar
02:10And then Pakistan army claim that attack is over
02:1330 terrorists have been killed
02:14The Baloch Liberation Army has issued a statement saying the operation is still on
02:18And they have over 100 Pakistan army soldiers in their custody
02:21They've been split into multiple smaller groups and hidden in different locations
02:26To be used as a bargaining chip for exchange of prisoners of war
02:30The Baloch Liberation Army has also claimed they've executed over 50 Pakistan army soldiers
02:36Those who were on that train have told Pakistani journalists on camera
02:41That they saw 50 to 60 Pakistani soldiers being killed by the Baloch fighters
02:46Pakistan army has said that the KPK terror attack has been foiled
02:50All 10 terrorists have been neutralized
02:53They're however silent so far on casualties, if any, on the Pakistani side
02:58Is there then merit in Pakistani leaders saying that 60% of Pakistan is now no longer in control of the Pakistani state?
03:08We discuss, but first, this report
03:13Another terror attack in Pakistan
03:17The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, an armed terror group operating along the Afghan-Pakistan border
03:23Launched a suicide attack on the Chandola military base in Tank District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Thursday
03:32There are reports of intense fighting inside the base
03:35The attack commenced with a powerful vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonation
03:41Causing extensive damage throughout the military facility
03:45After the explosion, TTP terrorists infiltrated the base
03:49Resulting in violent confrontations with Pakistani military personnel
03:55Initial reports indicate dozens of Pakistani soldiers have been killed
03:59While TTP fighters remain inside the camp
04:05Meanwhile, Pakistani army confirmed the end of the rescue operations in the Jaffar Express hijacking
04:12Stating that 33 militants and 21 hostages were killed
04:16While over 300 passengers were rescued
04:23Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif expressed grief and shock over the attack on Jaffar Express train
04:30Saying such cowardly acts won't shake Pakistan's resolve for peace
04:36Hostages who had been held captive in Quetta were rescued and taken to the neighbouring town of Muk
05:07They have taken the lives of over 50 terrorists
05:15We have yet to receive the figures of the hostages
05:20Hostages who survived recalled their terrifying day-long ordeal
05:27We were returning from Afghanistan with our team
05:31We came here because of the Turkum border border
05:34First, we were thrown into the train
05:38Then we were fired upon
05:42The firing went on for three hours
05:45After that, we were taken out of the train
05:50We were told to go to different states
05:52Karachi, Punjabi, Balochistan, Uttar Pradesh
05:55These are all different states
05:57They tortured us more
06:02Terror groups in recent months have stepped up their activities
06:06Using new tactics to target Pakistan's military and inflict high death tolls
06:12The frequent attacks show how Pakistan is slowly losing its hold to terrorist groups within the state
06:20Bureau report, India Today
06:25Late last night, Pakistan Army claimed that the rules of the game have changed
06:31After the Jaffar Express was hijacked in Balochistan
06:34What does this mean?
06:36What can the Pakistan Army now do differently?
06:40It's already been accused of carrying out what Baloch freedom fighters and activists
06:45Described as mass murder and genocide for decades in waves and failed
06:51Is there merit that 60% of Pakistan today is actually not in control of the Pakistani state?
06:58Joining me on this special broadcast is Mona Alam, a senior journalist from Pakistan
07:02Dr. Tara Kartha is terrorism and a security analyst
07:06She's tracked Pakistan very closely
07:08She joins us on the show as does Ahmar Mustiqan, a Baloch activist and journalist
07:15Mona, I want to begin by asking you
07:17Within 48 to 72 hours of the hijack of the Jaffar Express
07:21There's been another strike in tank in KPK
07:25And not the first one in recent months
07:27Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also appears to be burning
07:31Mona, what's happening in Pakistan?
07:33Thanks a lot, Gaurav
07:36Firstly, I think you, your team at India Today deserves a shoutout for the way you've covered the entire event
07:43I mean, I'm a witness, I bear witness to this
07:45I've been following all international media alike
07:48And similarly for your channel, your network
07:51You've been there, you've been covering the story
07:53You used to start since morning and then it used to go on till night
07:58Till the very end of the broadcast
08:00And you've had perspectives, honestly, from both extremes
08:04So this is what, you know, a true brand of journalism looks like
08:08And I think your team at India Today and yourself deserves an accolade
08:12But, you know, coming to your question now
08:15The point is that India is, I don't know how do you feel
08:20Sitting across the border, looking at the situation here
08:23But the fact is that Pakistan had done pretty well
08:28In terms of countering terrorism in past years
08:31But unfortunately, I must admit, I must confess that
08:35The past, I think, two, three years have been pretty rough for us
08:41And the primary reason that I identify for this is
08:45The fact that I think the political polarization in Pakistan
08:50Seems to come to no end
08:52And it's far from, you know, reconciling
08:55It's far from any kind of reconciliation
08:57There's a backlash, there's a fight of narratives on extreme ends
09:02You're right, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, South Waziristan in particular
09:06Was attacked immediately after this event
09:10And that was by the TTP terrorists
09:14And all of them have been neutralized
09:16Fortunately and thankfully, there was no loss of life
09:20Incurred in this particular attack in South Waziristan
09:23That had happened just before the Jaffar Express hijack
09:26But obviously, you know, it really troubles us here
09:30As Pakistanis, that something has to be done
09:33Something is primarily not working
09:36And something has to be reconciled
09:38We all kind of know that in principle what that is
09:41It is definitely putting everybody together
09:44In this fight against terrorism
09:46It is the public at the end of the day which matters
09:50And it is the public at the end of the day
09:52Through which fights and wars are fought
09:55But they have to be on the same page
09:57There cannot be two ways about it
09:59Okay, on the same page, because M. R. Musteghan
10:01Our operations in Balochistan over
10:04There appear to be conflicting reports
10:06Pakistan Army says they have successfully neutralized
10:08All the Baloch terrorists as they put it
10:10And they have rescued all soldiers and civilians
10:12BLA has just issued a statement
10:14Saying operations are still on
10:16And they have over 100 Pakistani soldiers held hostages
10:18Split into various groups
10:20Taken to different locations
10:22Yes sir, well obviously I was just telling someone
10:27Yesterday the Pakistan military says it is day
10:31Please believe it is night
10:34This is a state founded on lies
10:39Of which we were never a part of
10:43You see there was this very popular song
10:46Come children, let's take you on a tour of India
10:49There was Santosh Darpan
10:52And they tried to copy that song in Pakistan
10:57And they said come children, let's take you on a tour of Pakistan
11:01Even today they don't have Balochistan in that song
11:06In that copied song from India
11:08That's very interesting
11:10We know the reality of Pakistan
11:15We Baloch were never wanted to become a part of Pakistan
11:19That's a fact, we've read that in history
11:22So let's just take this point by point
11:24On what's happening right now
11:26And Dr. Tara Karthik, Pakistan appears to be on fire
11:31Just give me a moment
11:33Give me a moment
11:35I would like to trust the Baloch version
11:39I would like to trust the Baloch version
11:42Because you see, truth is always a casualty in war
11:48But I will tell you that as far as the versions go
11:53I will trust the BLA version
11:56Dr. Tara Karthik, Pakistan appears to be on fire
11:59Analyse the situation for us
12:01What's happening in KPK, what's happening in Balochistan
12:04And there have been multiple incidents in the last several months
12:07The frequency appears to be increasing
12:10How serious is the demand in Sindh for Sindhu Desh
12:16This would mean Pakistan is in deep deep crisis
12:19Indeed it is
12:23I have watched Pakistan for decades
12:26And I have never seen it so bad
12:28You're talking of daily attacks
12:31At least 4-5 SF killed every single day across the country
12:36That's the kind of violence that you're seeing
12:39One thing I'd just like to say if I may
12:42The BLA version did this as a very professionally managed operation
12:48The way the whole thing was conducted
12:50The narrative that they're using
12:53Prisoners of war, people saying hostages, blah blah blah
12:56They're not going to be sitting ducks for the Pakistan army
12:59So obviously this particular situation has not played out yet
13:03They're not going to sit there and wait for the Pakistan army to come and massacre them
13:07Much of this occurred very close to Peshawar
13:13Bolan, as you know, is a really really poor area of Balochistan
13:19The population density is very low, it's close to the Pashtun areas
13:24So there is definitely a TTP and Pashtuns
13:30I hate that word TTP because there's a bunch of people involved in that
13:34And they are with the BLA not because of any great common cause
13:39But because they're being targeted by the Pakistan army
13:42So enemies enemy becomes friend
13:45That's the relationship between Baloch fighters and the Pashtun fighters
13:50Is how you look at it
13:51Mona, Pakistan army generals have been quoted as saying
13:55Especially after the Jaffar Express incident
13:57Rules of the game have changed
14:00What does that mean Mona?
14:02Look Gaurav, I clearly recall that in your program
14:07The follow up program last night
14:09I began my comments with this that
14:12A lot has to change and this will be another now or never
14:16Never forgive, never forget moment in Pakistan's history
14:20And this is how it will be spelled out in future as well
14:24Look, Pakistan made a comeback
14:26A tremendous, a remarkable comeback
14:28From the situation that it was in in 2009
14:31There was no city, no town, no village
14:36That was saved from terrorist attacks back in the day
14:40Terrorism was at its worst back in that year
14:44And in those consequent years
14:46I mean it couldn't have been worse
14:48We've never seen worse, even our ancestors have never seen worse
14:51But we made a tremendous comeback
14:54Let me be very clear
14:55And if we've made a comeback from that situation
14:58Then I think this is just a handful of terrorists
15:02It is indeed a handful of terrorists
15:04I told you I think the other day as well
15:06That they do not in any way depict the majority view
15:09Their ancestors, all the princely states that Balochistan was comprised of
15:15All of them chose to be with Pakistan
15:18Even Akbar Bhukti
15:20Not sure on that because if you read facts
15:23Perhaps facts are taught differently in Pakistan
15:26Facts are taught differently in other parts of the world
15:29But fair enough
15:30No I think but yes concocted facts are taught in India as well
15:33And I mean going by narratives that are sold there
15:37I don't have any doubts
15:39Okay you know since India is completely out of this
15:43We'll keep India out for now
15:44We're just discussing Pakistan and what's happening in Pakistan and Balochistan
15:48But M. R. Musti Khan
15:49Have rules of the game changed?
15:51Will they change?
15:52What can and will the Pakistan Army do differently?
15:56Especially now when you know the Baloch Liberation Army
16:00The Baloch Liberation Front
16:01The Baloch Republican Army
16:03The Baloch Republican Guards
16:05They've all met and recently announced that they are the Baloch National Army
16:09So what will the Pakistan Army do differently
16:11That Baloch people need to be scared of?
16:16As far as they are talking
16:19I don't know I have to laugh about who I
16:22What Miss Mona Altham is saying
16:25I am not sure if she is working for the ISPR
16:30The military spokesperson
16:33She is a journalist but go on sir
16:35Okay I thought maybe she is with the ISI or something
16:39That's okay
16:41You can make your presumption that doesn't harm me
16:44On the substantive issue
16:46I am extremely sorry if I made a mistake
16:48You spoke like an ISI person
16:51That's okay you spoke like a snake too
16:53I didn't say that
16:54Okay okay
16:55To both my guests
16:56You're both very well respected
16:58We'll stay on the substantive issue
17:00Because it's a very serious issue
17:02Will Pakistan remain one entity
17:04Or are we looking at Bangladesh 2.0
17:06Or is that an exaggeration
17:08So let's stay on the major issue right now
17:13The game has not changed in Pakistan
17:16This is the Asim Munir
17:18Who is the street juggler
17:20And we have the two tamed monkeys now
17:23Competing with one another
17:25One tamed monkey is called Shehbaz Sharif
17:28The other tamed monkey is Asim Zardari
17:32They are calling us terrorists
17:34Each and every Baloch has the birthright
17:38To fight the Pakistani soldiers
17:41On the Baloch motherland
17:43Interesting point to make
17:45Quickly Dr. Tara Kartha
17:46Since the little time that I have on this part of the show
17:48General Tikka Khan
17:50Earlier known as Butcher of Bengal
17:52Was then notorious as Butcher of Balochistan
17:54Because of the genocidal campaign that was carried out
17:57General Parvez Musharraf
17:58He carried out the disgraceful campaign
18:00In which Nawab Akbar Bukti was killed
18:02By Pakistan Army
18:03Balochistan has seen at least 5 massive offences
18:07By the Pakistan Army
18:09Can the Pakistan Army do anything differently
18:12This time in your appreciation
18:14If precedent is anything to go by
18:17They will unleash another reign of terror
18:19That is what they are best at
18:21Instead of trying to woo the people to their side
18:24And bringing water and power to Balochistan
18:27Come on
18:28At least do that
18:29Give them the basics of life
18:31But they don't seem to be interested in doing that
18:33It's like a
18:34While what Mona said is right
18:36I mean they did make a comeback
18:38In terms of you know terrorism
18:39They were able to fight it
18:40And they did a tremendous job
18:42There is no doubt
18:43But the thing is
18:44They are the centre
18:45Is treating Balochistan like a colonial state
18:49As long as you do that
18:51You are not going to win this war
18:53Interesting point to make
18:54Mona last 30 seconds on this part of the show
18:57Does Pakistan have a strategy
18:59To deal with Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
19:01Because some commentators within Pakistan are saying
19:04Pakistan Army will have to stop selling
19:06Cornflakes and cement
19:08And corner plots
19:09And become a professional fighting force
19:11To combat the threat your nation faces Madam
19:14Is that unfair criticism
19:16No Gaurav Ji
19:17I think that part of the criticism
19:19Can be dealt with some other day
19:20But right now we have more serious issues at hand
19:23And I truly appreciate the comment made by Dr Tara
19:25I think this is where the problem is
19:27Unfortunately the issues at Balochistan
19:30Have been so large
19:31That exploiters have made great exploitations
19:34And great money out of it
19:36This is what
19:37When I say this
19:38I am very precarious
19:39Because politicians have come in from Balochistan
19:41Whether it's the PK Map
19:43Whether it's BNP
19:45You know every party
19:47National Party
19:48JUIF of Maulana Fazlur Rahman
19:50Every party has had its fair share
19:52In the power corridors here in Pakistan
19:54In almost every government
19:56There have been the major stakeholders
19:59There have been the coalition partners
20:01But unfortunately
20:02If they are not giving back to their people
20:04Then this is a matter of worry to me
20:06This is a matter of worry to everybody in Balochistan
20:08And I think this is where the problem lies
20:10It's not like Balochistan is neglected
20:12And I know they represent the people
20:14And yet they do not represent the people
20:16This is where the problem is
20:18And when you say that
20:20That Balochistan is not neglected
20:23Is it only for Baloch leaders
20:25To give it back to Balochistan
20:27And not for the Punjabi leaders
20:29Or the entire nation
20:31To give back to Balochistan
20:33But you know fair enough
20:35I'll just take it as an outsider
20:37I appreciate that
20:39That's a very logical question
20:40And a counter question
20:42Most interesting observations here
20:44My family has been part and parcel of Balochistan
20:48You see we rejected
20:50The meeting of the Sin Notables
20:52Was held at our house in Karachi
20:56I'm not making up
20:58And we unanimously
21:00Rejected the idea of Pakistan
21:03The flag of Balochistan
21:06Flew over my family house
21:08For six months
21:10Until March 27, 1948
21:14When they took over Balochistan
21:17Sure and Jinnah was an advocate for free Balochistan
21:20And you know suddenly
21:22Bhukti was a very fond companion of Bana
21:24But that's history
21:26I want to stay on the current topic
21:28Because the time is at a premium
21:30Yes I think it's more pertinent
21:32To stick to the current issue
21:34I think you made a very logical counter question here
21:36I would like to
21:38I want to bring Dr. Tara Kartha in also
21:40Dr. Tara Kartha
21:42You agree with this criticism
21:44That Pakistan army would have to stop
21:47Become a professional fighting force
21:49To combat the threat that nation faces
21:51Is that unfair to criticize the Pakistan army
21:53Or is that fair criticism
21:55To combat the threat in Balochistan
21:57And in KPK
21:59And perhaps in other parts of the country
22:01Given the amount
22:03Millions that have been taken up from Pakistan
22:05By former army chiefs
22:07Whom I will not name
22:09That charge I think is pretty relevant
22:11If you start focusing on profit
22:13Rather than fighting
22:15You are going to erode the cohesion
22:17Of what is otherwise
22:19A very professional army
22:21They are not just some
22:23Moderate country
22:25But the focus of the leadership
22:27Has to shift from that
22:29They are running the strategic
22:31The investment in the country
22:33They are running the economy
22:35They are running everything
22:37Then how can you do this
22:39So if you want to fight
22:41Get this thing going on the ground
22:43Very interesting point made here
22:45A professional army has to focus on
22:47Patriotism and not profit
22:49Mona, many thanks for joining me
22:51Ahmar Mustaqan and Dr. Tara Kartha
22:53Wonderful having all of you on this broadcast