Pakistan’s military infrastructure is fortified and built to endure such localised incidents.
Wednesday, November 08, 2023
ISLAMABAD: Over the years, Pakistan has faced terrorist attacks targeting its military installations. These incidents were shocking and extremely tragic. However, it is important to note that these attacks had negligible impact on the country's overall strategic operational capability. Instead, they can be characterized as primarily tactical in nature.
It is worth noting that terrorist attacks on military installations have primarily focused on personnel, equipment, or localized facilities. While undeniably tragic and devastating in the short term, these attacks have caused no lasting damage to Pakistan's overarching military capabilities. Pakistan's strategic operational capability is rooted in a broader and more resilient network of military assets, strategies and resources.
Pakistan's military strategy includes built-in redundancy and dispersed operational assets. In the event of a localized attack, armed forces can quickly reallocate their resources, adjust tactics, and recover from damage. History shows that the Pakistan Army is trained to endure and operate in tough conditions. Our armed forces have demonstrated their resilience in the face of adversity and ensured the continuation of strategic operations.
Terrorist attacks in Balochistan have different underlying motives. Balochistan, with its rich natural resources and flagship projects such as the Gwadar Port, Reko Diq and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), is becoming a major target. The aim of these attacks is to destabilize Pakistan's economy. Anti-Pakistani elements understand that a prosperous Balochistan would help strengthen the entire Pakistani economy, and consequently strengthen the country's geopolitical influence. This is exactly what these adversaries are trying to undermine.
The geographic scope of terrorist attacks has been limited to isolated incidents in specific areas, illustrating their inability to disrupt the broader strategic operations of the Pakistan Army. Pakistan's military infrastructure is designed to withstand localized attacks and maintain strategic readiness, making these attacks ineffective in affecting overall strategic capabilities.
Pakistan's military infrastructure is fortified and built to withstand such localized incidents. The country's military leadership has put in place robust strategies and fortified facilities to ensure the protection of its strategic assets and operational readiness. This resilience means that while these attacks are undoubtedly tragic and devastating on a smaller scale, they ultimately lack the power to threaten the broader strategic capabilities of the Pakistani military. The multilateral defense mechanisms in place are designed to mitigate the impact of such localized threats and protect the nation's overarching strategic interests that remain resilient and secure against such challenges.
In reality, there is a wider, well-coordinated attempt to destabilize Pakistan. However, it is vital to distinguish between tactical disruptions and broader strategic threats. Until now, all terrorist attacks on military installations in Pakistan have been localized, targeting specific checkpoints or personnel. They lack the capacity and size to undermine an overarching strategic position.
