On March 24, 2025, at precisely 1:15 PM, an alarming security breach unfolded in Bannu Cantonment. Two motorcycle riders attempted to intrude into the restricted military zone a high-security area still on alert following the devastating attack on March 4. Despite clear warnings, security barriers, and repeated calls to stop, the riders pressed forward. When all warnings were ignored, security personnel had no choice but to act. One intruder was neutralized, and the other was captured alive.
In any other country, this would be hailed as a successful counter-terrorism operation. Instead, some voices are attempting to spin a different narrative—one that questions the actions of the security forces rather than the blatant violation of a military zone’s sanctity. Why is it that whenever our forces take decisive action to prevent potential catastrophe, they are met with criticism rather than appreciation?
Let’s consider the facts. The area was restricted due to security threats. The individuals involved broke barriers and ignored repeated verbal warnings, even after security forces fired warning shots. What was their intent? No ordinary citizen would persist in such an act, knowing the risks involved. If security personnel had hesitated, the outcome could have been far deadlier. Should we have waited for another explosion before acknowledging the seriousness of the situation?
This incident is not an isolated one. Time and again, terrorist operatives have used seemingly ‘innocent’ facades to bypass security protocols. Those who rush to label such intruders as “civilians” need to ask themselves: why would a civilian forcibly enter a high-alert military zone? Would any other nation tolerate such a breach without an immediate response?
The reality is that misinformation plays into the hands of those who seek to destabilize Pakistan. By questioning the very institutions that stand as our first line of defense, we risk weakening national security. Instead of fueling baseless skepticism, we must stand united against terrorism and recognize that a strong security apparatus is not an enemy of the people it is their shield.
Had the forces hesitated, we might have been mourning another tragedy today. The choice is clear: support those who protect us or empower those who seek to harm us. As responsible citizens, we must choose wisely.
