The location of the attack is exceptionally interesting. It is safe to say 'the shifting alliances' within Pakistan (the anarchy) has ended and the people of Pakistan have their government firmly back on their side.
I completely believe al Qaeda was responsible for this attack. It is organized in 'designer tactics' known to be practiced by al Qaeda. Beside the fact the ISI was the focus of the attack, it took place in Lahore. Kindly note, the location of Lahore compared to the tribal region where the Zardari military is working to defeat the terrorist networks.
This attack today stated loud and clear the 'displaced' attack was attempted to move the front of the military actions out of the tribal areas and back to the cities of government structure. The Pakistani military needs support in 'weakended' areas of the country, such as the cities, where this attack took place.
The Zardari military is getting close to the center of power of al Qaeda and they are desperate to move the 'war front' off their front door and into government centers to cause destabilized efforts. It is a brilliant tactic, but, it can and should be defeated. I would hope the NATO forces could assist the Pakistani military to end their struggle in Swat and the tribal regions while some of the soldiers are moved to other areas in need of protection.
The Pakistani military under President Zardari have carried out a magnificent campaign that has been more successful than anyone expected. This attempt to destabilize the military's effort is a desperate act. I can't help but believe the Pakistani military is far closer to their victory than I would anticipate. The Generals are far better authority to protect their military and their country's infrastructure, but, they have lead a billiant battle up to now and I sincerely believe they are very close to destroying the center of al Qaeda.
One has to realize, the ISI is a bit coveted by al Qaeda and the Taliban, so to actually 'sacrifice' any ability to 'win back' the favor of the Pakistani military to carry out this attack shows the 'weaknesses' of the enemy more than it does not. I am sorry for the tragedy today in Lahore. The people of Pakistan have aligned with their government and it is definately 'felt' by al Qaeda and militant Taliban. The people of Pakistan are winning, it is hard to maintain this path, but to realize a country without any possibility of returning to 'Old World' treatment of its people is possible has to be held in esteem to achieve their victory.
I hold great hope for their victory and wish the Generals the best insight and fortitude to that end. Their democracy is within sight.Posted on Wednesday, 05.27.09
Deadly bombing in Pakistan may be payback for military offensive (click title to entry - thank you)
By SAEED SHAH
McClatchy Newspapers
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- Suspected Islamic terrorists killed about 30 people and injured more than 250 Wednesday in a gun and vehicle-bomb attack in the eastern city of Lahore that may be the first major reprisal for Pakistan's military offensive against extremists, analysts and officials said.
The bomb contained as much as 220 pounds of explosives and reduced several buildings to rubble, among them a police station, an emergency services call center and offices of the Inter-Services Intelligence spy agency, along with a 200-yard stretch of the street.
The attack began when several assailants jumped from the vehicle, (This is an al Qaeda tactic.) described by some witnesses as a van, and opened fire on the buildings with automatic weapons.
A senior Pakistani official said the ISI compound appeared to be the primary target of the attack, and it showed that the spy agency is now at war with Islamic extremist groups that it previously trained and armed to fight in India's disputed Kashmir region and in Afghanistan....
One has to remember, under Musharraf, rape was a sentence for women that were found guilty of unmarried sex or flirting.
The sexual exploitation of the judges defined the right to imprison them so they could not rule adversely against Musharraf. The public 'shaming' of the judges didn't work in the long run.
The point is the ISI acted under orders by Musharraf to organize a campaign against legally placed judges.
'ISI Tried Sex-blackmail Of Judges Ruling On Musharraf' (click here)
Sunday 11th of November 2007
Pakistan's intelligence agency sent some Supreme Court judges and their children secretly-filmed videos of them having sex with lovers or prostitutes in a bid to blackmail them ahead of a key ruling on President Pervez Musharraf, a British newspaper reported Sunday.
Videos were sent out to at least three of the 11 Supreme Court judges in September ahead of their ruling on whether Musharraf was eligible to run for president while still army chief, The Sunday Times reported.
One video showed a judge with his young mistress while another was of a judge's daughter having sex with a boyfriend - and the ISI even threatened Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry with an anonymous letter implying sexual impropriety....
