Conversation between high-level Al-Qaeda leaders in the Arabian Peninsula intercepted by the US intelligence agencies have led them to deduce that a terrorist attack as massive as 9/11 is in the offing and according to one US lawmaker who received the briefing, it could possibly be timed to coincide with the last night of Ramazan. US CJCOS General Martin Dempsey told the ABC that the threats were “more specific...while an exact target was unknown, the intent...is to attack Western, not just US interests.” The threat is rightly being taken very seriously, and the US has shut down till August 10 as many as 19 of its embassies and consulates in the Middle East and parts of Africa, believed to be the danger zone.
However, Yemen is feared to be on the top of the list where the attack is likely to take place. Thus, all American citizens in Yemen have been asked to leave the country immediately, while travel advisories have been issued for the rest of these countries where the citizens have been cautioned against the possibility of such an eventuality.
Pakistan, being a frequent victim, has also taken pre-emptive measures, as it is apprehended that it could come under attack. For, a message exchanged between militant operatives said that the Dera Ismail Khan jailbreak had achieved just some of its objectives and now the target should be the inmates of more prestigious abodes in Islamabad. As a result, security has been strengthened around Parliament House, Air Force and Naval Headquarters, Faisal Mosque, Benazir International Airport, etc.
It must be kept in mind that irrespective of what the present Al-Qaeda threat might end up in, the frightening situation that obtains in the country demands that we should not, in any case, lower our guard till such time the evil of militancy has died down. Pakistan has suffered grievously since the scourge appeared well over a decade ago and borne a huge economic as well as human loss.
There is a dire need for our intelligence outfits; both civilian and military, to strengthen their information gathering and sharing mechanism and establish quick coordination with the security agencies. The security personnel, so far found miserably wanting, require training of the highest order and necessary modern weapons to be able take on the militants and, of course, funds to meet these needs. Any weak link in the preparation chain would cost us dearly, as we have known much to our regret and chagrin.