Former Special Services Group head could have been killed as Taliban' revenge

Islamabad, Nov.21 : General (retired) Ameer Faisal Alvi, a former head of the military Special Services Group (SSG), who had died in an attack in Islamabad, could have been killed for revenge by Taliban following his involvement in operations against militants in the tribal areas.

It is likely that General (r) Ameer Faisal Alvi was made a target for commanding the Special Services Group group in a covert operation 'Operation Mountain Lion' carried out against militants in Waziristan in 2006, with the US and British involvement, The News has stated.

At least 12 militants, a number of foreigners, were killed by Alvi's unit and others were arrested. Among them were a number of foreigners.

Writing in its editorial "In the name of revenge", The News has stated that General (r) Ameer Faisal Alvi had been receiving threats from the Taliban for several months. It looks his murder was pre-planned.

The edit pieces stated that no other motive has been suggested for the assassination, carried out by killers, riding motorbikes and a jeep, who opened fire on the general's car and then fled.

The Taliban, it looks, were eager to deliver a clear-cut message, The News observed.

"The retired general was seen as a 'soft target'. His death, alongside that of his driver, is a reminder of the extremist hatred for the forces acting against them and of their ruthlessness. The game of revenge is obviously a dangerous one."

"It is not known if other targets are in sight. The killing could also set a pattern that 'copy cat' assassins emulate, to gun down, in a similar fashion, those involved in actions against militants at various times."

"The thought is a terrifying one. We already have, in our society, far too many strands of violence. An addition to them is obviously not a development to look forward to."

The News through its editorial has suggested that solutions to the situation are not easy to find. But the government must, with the military and other security outfits, consider a way to make the country a safer place; heads must be put together to find a way."

"Unless we can achieve this, the walk down the dangerous path that leads only to darkness will not be halted and this cannot augur well for any of us anywhere in the country," The News stated.

ANI