Geronimo EKIA

They came, they killed and they went back home saying Geronimo EKIA - Geronimo is the name given to Bin laden after the Apache warrior who fought with America & México for many decades in Apache Wars and was captured with great difficulty in late 19th century. EKIA is the acronym for Enemy Killed in Action.

One of the most wanted terrorist by America since 9/11; this US operation re-established American credibility that seems to have been lost in the last one decade in their fight in Iraq & Afghanistan. It also helped fulfilled the pledge of George Bush and Barack Obama to capture or kill Bin Laden. One of the interview that I saw of Condoleezza Rice with CNN’s Anderson Cooper, also re-iterated the view that even the Bush administration was sure that Bin Laden will ultimately be brought to justice as it took America 20 long years to finally kill once infamous terrorist Abu Nadel.

However, this US operation raises quite difficult questions for Pakistan. If four helicopters could enter the country’s boundaries anytime without any check, and complete their operation in 40 long minutes without any interference from Pakistani forces, how are the Pakistanis going to trust their hugely financed army? Where is the justification of 18 per cent raise in defense budget this year?. Is this complicity or simply incompetence? The latter seems more likely though the former cannot be ruled out

Even more important question than breach of sovereignty is the fact that Bin Laden was living near one of the most secure area of Pakistan (The Pakistan Military Academy) in Abottabad and no one in Pakistan was aware of this. When it’s difficult for any ordinary Pakistani to buy a piece of land without establishing identity, how come the most wanted terrorist was living for the last 5 years. Who purchased the land and built the house for Bin Laden to live peacefully? Who provided the visa to Bin Laden and his many wives living with their children’s?

The overwhelming narrative that engulfed Pakistani media, remained focus on ghairat (honour) and the way USA has violated Pakistan’s sovereignty in all its imperial arrogance. Little did anyone on these pulpits tried to recall that bin Laden was anything but a law-abiding citizen of Pakistan. The biggest question regarding Pakistan’s sovereignty comes from Osama’s presence in Pakistan. Pakistani’s must admit that having Bin Laden living right under their nose is much worse violation of their sovereignty than the US forces coming in and killing Bin Laden.

The leaders of Pakistan must reflect, take a lesson, and drop any covert support to terrorists and by extension global terrorism. A general consensus has emerged the world over that Pakistan cannot be relied on these global epidemic concerns. Pakistan still has a chance to regain world’s trust by now handing the wanted list of 26/11 to India.