Bugti's killing second biggest blunder by Pak military: Media

Islamabad, Aug 28: Denouncing the killing of prominent tribal leader Nawab Akbar Bugti in an Army operation as a "political nightmare," Pakistan media on Monday said his death may fuel Baloch nationalism and could end as the second biggest blunder by the military since the execution of former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in 1979.

The 80-year-old Bugti was killed in the restive Balochistan province on Saturday that also left 38 armed rebels and 21 security personnel dead, triggering massive rioting during which a protestor was shot dead.

"Whoever in the national security establishment decided to eliminate Nawab Bugti physically is clueless about the force of politics, history and nationalism. Clearly, this was a politically inopportune moment for it," Daily Times said in its editorial.

"Nawab Bugti, already 80 plus, wanted a heroic death for many personal, provincial and extra-provincial reasons. Whoever took military action against him has granted him his wish to be a martyr. This is a political nightmare that the PML(Q) (ruling alliance) will find hard to handle here and now and Pakistan in the hereafter," it said.

"Whatever his personality and past, Nawab Bugti's death is bound to become part of the heroic lore of Baloch history of resistance against the state since 1947 and strengthen the separatist emotion in the province.

"...Political support to the Musharraf establishment and the PML(Q) government is at its lowest ebb. Balochistan will be ready to ignite at any time in the future... This is the biggest blunder committed by the military since the execution of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto," it said.

In its editorial, Dawn said, "It is distressing to find the President congratulating the country's security forces for their 'successful operation' that killed Nawab Akbar Bugti and several of his companions in the Bhambore Hills of Balochistan on Saturday. Every sensible person should be filled with deep foreboding at this critical development.

"The repercussions may not be immediately visible but they will appear in time, as our troubled political history has shown whenever force has been employed to solve a political problem."

Bugti's killing could easily lead to a recrudescence of nationalist sentiment, not merely in Balochistan but also in Sindh, and the acts of sabotage in Balochistan which appeared to be waning may return in a more violent form, it said.

"...The Saturday battle will also lead to a sharp deterioration in the already heated government-opposition relations and can only further pollute the political atmosphere," it said, adding "it doesn't do the state any good to be remembered as an executioner of former prime ministers and chief ministers."

In its editorial, another daily 'The News' said Bugti's death is tragic and could well be a defining moment in Pakistan's chequered history.

"... The (Bugti's) killing is the logical and unfortunate outcome of the recent approach to tackling the whole Balochistan issue and once again underlines the need for a political dialogue and non-military solution to end the crisis in that province," it said.

"Bugti's death could well be a watershed in the troubled relationship between Balochistan and the Centre. The government hopes that it will mark the beginning of the end of the strife in the troubled province. Zeenews.com 28.8.07