Attack on PNS Mehran Base - PAF Faisal Base

[Najam Khan]

Was raid on Pakistani base an inside job?


Everything about the assault on Monday, from the methodical tactics to the targeting of sensitive aircraft suggests the attackers used inside information. "It looks like an inside job. That should be the biggest worry for the military – and for all of us," said security analyst Imtiaz Gul.

The spectre of Islamist infiltration has haunted the army for decades. After surviving an assassination bid in 2003 – one orchestrated by air force officers – General Pervez Musharraf purged the superior ranks of known Islamists.

Apart from the inside information, our Military should get some lesson from previous similar attacks...there were always some option left open.

In Baidian and Munawa Police training school attacks (2009), the walls were too short to climb...without proper sniper towers in the academy it was easy target.
In GHQ, apart from other factors a reason of their entry was that the guards left their position while responding to a bomb attack at TM chowk gate...which was just a diversion for the uniformed terrorists to enter from the army museum side.

In parade lane attack, their was enough security at both gates of the colony...some of the walls were even secure...but the terrorists used ladder to climb them, where no watch tower was placed....now things have changed, if one visit these places, they really don't look like previous ones...a 'fort' could be the right word for them!

In recent attack on navy, initial reports claimed that they entered from PAF museum, later clamined korangi sewerage...and final claimed that they used ladders to enter....which ever is true, its nothing new for them...they have done similar task in pasts as explained above.

We should learn something from past, instead of waiting for an incident to happen!

 

[roadrunner]

Was raid on Pakistani base an inside job?

Assault in Karachi is one of several attacks in recent years linked to Islamists working within Pakistan's military

Declan Walsh guardian.co.uk, Monday 23 May 2011


The loss of two Orion P-3C aircraft, valued at $36m (£22.3m) each, is a deep blow to Pakistan's military. But the greater worry is how the Islamist fighters who destroyed them accessed the airfield in the first place.

Everything about the assault on Monday, from the methodical tactics to the targeting of sensitive aircraft suggests the attackers used inside information. "It looks like an inside job. That should be the biggest worry for the military – and for all of us," said security analyst Imtiaz Gul.

The spectre of Islamist infiltration has haunted the army for decades. After surviving an assassination bid in 2003 – one orchestrated by air force officers – General Pervez Musharraf purged the superior ranks of known Islamists.

Extremists are still sprinkled within the lower ranks, however, and have been suspected of involvement in several atrocities, such as the 2007 suicide attack on a commando base and the spectacular assault in 2009 on army headquarters in Rawalpindi. Air force officers were arrested for a separate plot against Musharraf in 2006. perpetrators of some attacks have fled to Waziristan, where they find shelter among jihadi groups that allegedly enjoy covert army support.

I think that's far fetched. Orions are sea warfare aircraft. Why target them?

It's unlikely anyone in Pakistan owns a submarine.

 

[Najam Khan]

I think that's far fetched. Orions are sea warfare aircraft. Why target them?

It's unlikely anyone in Pakistan owns a submarine.

Yes well pointed....every body knows whats the role of this a/c....and who will get advantage from it.

 

[DarK-LorD]

Any other Aircraft other than the 2 Orion's damaged?

 

[Najam Khan]

Any other Aircraft other than the 2 Orion's damaged?

How much more you want to hear?

 

[fatman17]

I think that's far fetched. Orions are sea warfare aircraft. Why target them?

It's unlikely anyone in Pakistan owns a submarine.

its the symbolism - US made!!!

---------- Post added at 11:14 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:13 AM ----------

Any other Aircraft other than the 2 Orion's damaged?

u mean completely destroyed!

 

[fatman17]

Apart from the inside information, our Military should get some lesson from previous similar attacks...there were always some option left open.

In Baidian and Munawa Police training school attacks (2009), the walls were too short to climb...without proper sniper towers in the academy it was easy target.
In GHQ, apart from other factors a reason of their entry was that the guards left their position while responding to a bomb attack at TM chowk gate...which was just a diversion for the uniformed terrorists to enter from the army museum side.

In parade lane attack, their was enough security at both gates of the colony...some of the walls were even secure...but the terrorists used ladder to climb them, where no watch tower was placed....now things have changed, if one visit these places, they really don't look like previous ones...a 'fort' could be the right word for them!

In recent attack on navy, initial reports claimed that they entered from PAF museum, later clamined korangi sewerage...and final claimed that they used ladders to enter....which ever is true, its nothing new for them...they have done similar task in pasts as explained above.

We should learn something from past, instead of waiting for an incident to happen!

what is required is war-time SOPs not peace-time, normal security measures.

 

[roadrunner]

The BLA arent going to target Orions unless they're planning on swimming in from the Arabian Sea.

 

[ramu]

The BLA arent going to target Orions unless they're planning on swimming in from the Arabian Sea.

Who knows if the target was really P3C Orions or any aircrafts on their way. We tend to assign too much credit to bugs that just need to be squashed. If atleast one terrorist was caught alive, he would sing and we would know who was behind it.

 

[F86 Saber]

He was the only son of his parents and his father a Retd. Lt. Coln. himself says that if he had another son he would not have hesitated a moment to sacrifice him for our country. I know how important an only son is to his parents being one myself, there are no words to describe their grief. But instead of cursing the Govt. and the Army, this guy who just lost the most important thing in his life for the country is willing to sacrifice more. This is the definition of a soldier.
The keyboard warriors who constantly bad mouth the army for not doing its job properly should realize that it takes a lot more effort and courage to actually face lethal bullets coming at you than type a few lines in bad English and post on a forum.
To save Pakistan, a Mustafa Kamal Ataturk type action is required, otherwise we are doomed.

 

[roadrunner]

Who knows if the target was really P3C Orions or any aircrafts on their way. We tend to assign too much credit to bugs that just need to be squashed. If atleast one terrorist was caught alive, he would sing and we would know who was behind it.

When people pick targets with careful planning, they usually will plan whether to attack a naval base or a land base. Don't be so naive.

 

[Najam Khan]

what is required is war-time SOPs not peace-time, normal security measures.

Yes definitely...but why is that these 'war time SOPs' are seen after each incident....why wait for people to point out fingers!

Last night in Mehr Bhkari's program 'Cross fire' AM Shahid Latif said the same thing, we have not implemented enough preventive measures since 9/11.

 

[fatman17]

P-3C-II.75 Orion


Pakistan Naval Aviation

Delivered; 7
Current; 4
Lost; 3
On Order; 3

- In service from 1997

- Note: The acquisition of the original batch of 3 Orions was approved in 1988, with deliveries to the USN's training unit (VP-30 at Jacksonville, FL) taking place in late 1990. Although Pakistan Navy crews commenced training on the aircraft in February 1991, by mid-year the supply of the Orions was subject to an arms embargo & the aircraft were not delivered to Pakistan until December 1996 & January 1997, respectively. Folowing the Orion's official induction into service on 22nd January 1999, an attrition loss occurred on 29th October 1999 & the type was grounded shortly after. The 2 surviving aircraft were placed into storage for a number of years, but overhauled by OGMA, at Mehran, in 2006/2007 & returned to service. A further 7 refurbished ex-US Navy examples are now being supplied, following the lifting of the aforementioned embargo. The first 2 of these were delivered to Pakistan in January & March 2007, respectively, with the third & fourth examples handed-over in the USA during January 2010. Following a spell of time spent crew training at NAS Jacksonville, Florida, these were then flown to Mehran, Pakistan at the end of May 2010, where they were officially accepted into service at a formal ceremony on 1st June 2010. A terrorist attack by militants at PNS Mehran on 22nd May 2011 resulted in the destruction of 2 Orions on the ground & 12 fatalities amongst personnel at the base.

- Located at 28 Squadron

 

[johnny boy]

I THINK AFTER THIS ATTACK PAKISTAN ATLEAST DECLARES THESE BASTARDS INCL LET AND HIZB...AS TERRORISTS AND NOT FREEDOM FIGHTERS...ANY DEGREE OF SCUM REMAINING IN PAKSITAN IS SUICIDIAL AND DETRIMENTAL FOR PAKISTAN AND ITS ECONOMY AS A WHOLE.

 

[Najam Khan]

Some pictures from this incident.