Assassination of Nawab Bugti - The Real Story
Dated 29/8/2006
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It was the third attempt on the life of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti. After the interception of satellite phone communication, the Nawab's location was pin pointed within just a few hours.
American surveillance planes were reportedly used. So were US Cobra helicopter gun ships. A fierce fire fight followed in the caves of Karmu Wadh in Kohlu. Nearly 25 Pakistani elite SSG Commando's lost their lives, as did around 35 Balochi's. Among them was the Musharraf's target Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti.
"This time they won't know what will hit them..."
"He is not a Nawab; he is just a pygmy..."
- General Pervez Musharraf
The first attempt on the life of the Nawab was back last year on 17th March 2005. Under the command of Musharraf the Pakistan Armed Forces had then rained down Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire Guided missiles, better knows are TOW missiles. Which was of course acquired from the Americans under the pretext of hunting Al Queda as Pakistan was the frontline-ally on the War on Terrorism (WoT).
Anyhow in March 2005, the attempt on Bugti's life failed. While the missile's ended up killing a lot of Balochi Hindu's in the region, the Nawab could escape unhurt.
The second attempt to assassinate him took place in early July 2006 when after some Pakistan Air Force bombing sorties and dozens of helicopter gunship missile attacks, elite SSG commandos were dropped near Bugti's mountain hideout. In the ensuing firefight in which the commandos suffered heavy casualties, Nawab Bugti made a successful escape and sought sanctuary, as we now discover, in the Bhambore hills, between Kohlu and Dera Bugti.
The cold blooded extra judicial murder of Nawab Bugti at the whim of Pakistan's General Musharraf was eventually achieved. The third attempt was indeed successful.
Third time lucky you would say? Not quite. This opens a Pandora's Box for General Musharraf, whose grip on events is loosening as each and every day goes by.
Nawab Bugti, an 80 year old frail man, who was incapacitated with a muscle-wasting disease and was unable to walk has now become a hero and an icon for Balochi's, Sindhi's and other ethnicities within Pakistan who are fighting for greater rights.
Musharraf might have well chewed off this time more than what he can swallow. Only time will tell.