The nukes were never in danger at any point, but what does this say about the Taliban’s intentions? Don’t be surprised if, in the future, we see a more robust and coordinated attack on the nuclear complex in an attempt to take control, similar to the well planned attack recently in Afghanistan that nearly overran a US military outpust in Nuristan.
A Taliban suicide bomber has killed seven people near a nuclear weapons complex in Pakistan’s Punjab province.
The suicide bomber detonated outside a security checkpoint near the Kamra Air Weapon Complex in the district of Attock, Geo News reported. Three security personnel and four civilians were killed in the blast, and 12 more were wounded.
The attack is the latest in a string of suicide strikes and military assaults by the Taliban against Pakistan’s security forces, the government, and civilians. Today the Taliban assassinated a senior general and his driver near the general’s home in Islamabad. Yesterday the Taliban conducted a dual suicide attack at Islamic International University in Islamabad. The Taliban have announced they are at war with the state so long as South Waziristan remains under military siege.
The Kamra Air Weapon Complex is one of three military industrial production facilities in the Wah Cantt, according to Global Security. The Pakistani Ordnance Factories, a collection of 14 factories that produce arms and ammunition for the Pakistani armed forces, and Heavy Industries Taxila are also contained within the Wah Cantt. More than 40,000 Pakistanis are employed at the factories.
Kamra is believed to be connected with Pakistan’s nuclear weapons program. The Pakistani Ordnance Factories are believed to store nuclear weapons at a “screwdriver level” – meaning the components are stored disassembled and can be assembled within hours of needed use.
Ed makes a fair point. It’s not about wanting access to the nukes (although if they could they would) but more about sapping the morale of the political leadership and force them to back down from their latest offensive.
They want to attack the morale of the military with suicide bombings and hostaging. Warriors want a straight-up fight, not suicide attacks against which they cannot begin to defend themselves. By sapping the morale of the rank and file, the Taliban hope to blunt the effort to push the radicals out of the FATAs on the border of Afghanistan, which started this week, and perhaps push the military to demand another truce from the government instead of a fight.
Will that work? The government has not shied away from counterproductive truces in the past. If the military builds up enough discontent, they could conduct yet another coup, which is probably what the Taliban wants. More instability and anger allows them to recruit better, and to grab territory while Islamabad quakes.
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- Pakistan: New Taliban leader decides against press conference after drone attack
- Kabul: Taliban Suicide Attack kills 17 at Indian Embassy
- Pakistan Army finds complex cave network used by Taliban and Al Qaeda
- Pakistan: Muslim Suicide Bomber kills 49 in crowded marketplace
- 13 year old suicide bomber kills 41 in Pakistan
- Pakistan: Suicide Bomber Kills at Least 50 in Mosque
- Taliban threaten spectacular attack on Washington
- Pakistan: Suicide carbombs detonate, killing 16, wounding 150
- Pakistan: Pro-Taliban chief ready to fight Americans
