Very tragic news saddened us on Sunday as Punjab Home Minister Col (retd) Shuja Khanzada was killed along with 16 others in a suicide blast at his political office in Shadi Khan near Attock. Khanzada, 71, had been holding a meeting with local people. He was trapped with several others under the rubble after the blast brought down the roof of the house.
He had received number of life threats because Khanzada was leading the counter-terrorism fight in Punjab since he took over the Home portfolio in October 2014. He was a brave man and kept determinant to achieve his goal to make this country free from the monster of terror.
But after putting a glance on the incident we would came to know that security arrangements at his home were not up to the mark considering the threats he was facing.
Due to the security loopholes suicide bomber managed to sneak in close to detonate a huge bomb. Terrorist incident occurred relatively in a remote village and took ample time to rescue operation and Khanzada and others could not survive. Leaders of all the political parties, President and Prime Minister expressed great grief on the incident and resolve not to allow the martyrdom of such a brave soldier influence determination to eliminate terrorists from out homeland.
Terrorists have targeted some high profile politicians of other political parties but this is the first time PML N became victim. This is the time for PML N to brush a side the speculation of going soft on the terrorist outfits prevailing in Punjab by launching a comprehensive operation against terrorists. A report disclosed over 70 terrorist and sectarian groups have presence in Punjab.
Military operation against terrorists is underway in the Western border and terrorists are on the run. Officials of Punjab must make sure Punjab should not become save heaven for the terrorists.
Punjab government needs to take unprecedented actions against terrorist outfits prevailing in Punjab.