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It’s A Crime To Use Military
Weapons And Tactics Against Civilians In No War Zone
Since
US started its war against terrorism, general Musharraf has
taken full advantage and used this war to perpetuate his illegal
rule over the state of Pakistan. His actions against the people
of Pakistan also resemble with tactics that US is using against
terrorists across the globe.
Recent air strike in Bajaur Agency which
killed 80 some people is the fresh example of use of such
tactics.
Bajaur is not a war zone. It is Pakistan’s
territory and the residents of Bajaur are subject to the laws of
state of Pakistan.
Treating Bajaur as war zone and its residents
as enemies is a criminal act. If there was any illegal activity
going on in Bajaur, the state forces should have moved in and
arrested, tried and jailed the criminals. No law, national or
international, allows bombing people who are not engaged in war
against the state.
The pre air strike events were reported by
ISPR Major General Shaukat Sultan in these words “We were
informed about the presence of 70 to 80 miscreants, including
some foreigners, who were getting militant training in the
madrassa. The army used gunship helicopters and precision
weapons in the operation,”
Why army used gunship helicopters and
precision weapons to kill those “miscreants” why army did not
try to raid that area and arrest the culprits. If army had
arrested those “miscreants” and handed over to them to law
enforcement agencies to try them in the court of law, the world
would know the identity and nationality of those alleged
criminals.
But it seems like in this war against
terrorism, the focus is on killing people not on knowing their
identity or nationality. It is the model being applied around
the globe wherever war on terror is being fought.
General Musharraf has used this “terrorism”
rhetoric to perpetuate his illegal control over the state of
Pakistan. Anyone who challenges his legitimacy he labels him
with Al Qaeda, militant, extremist, etc. and have him killed.
Few months back, general Musharraf did the
same thing in Balochistan where he killed Nawab Akbar Bugti, a
political leader, and several other Balochis with these gunship
helicopters and precision weapons.
If such weapons are used in war zones, it
makes some sense, but using such weapons in no war zones does
not make any sense. Moreover, it is against the international
law to use such weaponry in no war zones.
Wherever general Musharraf carries out such
illegal operations he bars Pakistani and international media
access to such areas. He does not want the world should know the
truth.
US has not only allowed journalists to work
closely with US forces in all war zones, US forces embed
journalists along with them so that they could report the world
the details of the operations. Probably they allow media because
they carry out military operations in war zones whereas, general
Musharraf carries out such operations in no war zones.
Saddam Hussain, former Iraqi dictator, is
under trial for using such weapons against Kurds in no war zones
General Musharraf is not going to be in
office for ever. One day, like every other dictator, he will be
out of office. Therefore, it is in his own interest to learn
from Saddam Hussain’s fait and try to work within legal means.
In Bajaur type situations, the right thing to
do is to arrest, try and jail such people. It is a crime to use
gunship helicopters and precision weapons in no war zones where
innocent civilians also get killed along with alleged targets.
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