Charsadda aftermath

The brutal and barbaric attack on the Bacha Khan University in Charsadda has claimed the lives of over 20 innocent people. The victims include professors, students and security guards. It is time we firmly asked the Afghan authorities to hand us over terrorists like Mullah Fazlullah and Mangal Bagh who are hiding in sanctuaries in that country. Our intelligence and security network needs more coordination. What enhanced measures did the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government take after intelligence agencies warned of terrorists attack on educational institutions?

The outer wall from where the terrorists entered the university appeared to be in a poor state. The terrorists had no problem in removing some bricks, climbing the wall, cutting the single wire and entering the university. A sprawling complex like this university must have a strong, high, well-fenced peripheral wall with round-the-clock manned observation towers. SHOs need to be more vigilant in tracking the ‘who’s who’ in their areas of responsibility. We have a long, porous border with Afghanistan. But it can be monitored from the air through specialised aircraft. We can use our own surveillance drones for the purpose. Moreover, the National Action Plan should be resolutely pursued, regularly monitored and updated.

Air Cdre (r) Mohammad Yaqoob Khan

Rawalpindi