08 May,2011 10:31 AM IST | | Sajjad Malik
Bin laden, the world's most wanted man, was killed by the US special troops in Bilal Town area of Abbotabad district, barely 61 kilometers north east of the Pakistani capital Islamabad.
The killing, which was met with jubilations in the United States and elsewhere, came as a cold comfort in strife-torn Pakistan, where high profile assassinations of militant leaders often spark rounds of revenge killings and attacks.
"Terrorism will increase as they (al-Qaeda) will think that their chief was killed and they will take the revenge from the people of the area and of the army," said Mohammed Usman, 35.
Pakistani protesters burn a US flag in protest against the killing of Osama
bin Laden in Multan this week. Hundreds of Pakistanis took to the streets,
cheering Osama bin Laden and shouting "death to America" to condemn
an unilateral US raid on their soil that killed the Al-Qaeda chief. pic/aFP PHOTO
Usman works as computer engineer, and was not celebrating the killing of Bin Laden at the hands of Americans ufffd even he opposes US policy in Pakistan and its intervention in Afghanistan and Iraq.
There were others who welcomed the elimination of al-Qaeda head but they were also gnawed by mixed feelings of uncertainty and insecurity.
"I saw the news (killing of bin Laden) on the television in the morning and I was happy that he is no more," said Amir Nawaz, a 20 years old college student.
"But my worry is that terrorism will increase in Pakistan and the situation will deteriorate," he said.
Another youngster who was standing nearby and sipping cold drink from his glass said without revealing his name, "Yes, I also fear more terrorism in the country in coming days.
From its base in first Afghanistan, and, more recently, strongholds in north-western Pakistan, al-Qaeda has already sponsored dozens of lethal attacks in Pakistan.
The foreign ministry in Islamabad said on Monday that al-Qaeda had declared war on Pakistan and killed over 30,000 civilians in terrorist attacks during last few years.
"More than 5,000 Pakistani security and armed forces officials have been martyred in Pakistan's campaign against Al-Qaeda, other terrorist organisations and affiliates," said Tehmina Janjua.
But despite those looming fears, it was business as usual in the Aabpara Market, the oldest shopping area of the capital, where music blared from small restaurant and vendor selling wares on the streets, many unaware of the biggest story in the world.
"Who is he?" said Janabur Rehman, who was selling Chinese-made cheap watches, when asked about the killing of bin Laden.
But there were others who were well aware of the killing and had already discussed it with friends along with its implication on the law and order in the country.
"I heard the news of killing on the radio in my car while driving towards my shop," said Hamad Ali, who owns a pharmacy in the market.
"I told my friends about it and they said it is not good as the situation will become very bad and there will be attacks all over the country," he said.
Former military ruler Pervez Musharraf also feels that that al-Qaeda will continue to wreak havoc in Pakistan and elsewhere after the elimination of its chief.
"Al-Qaeda and its trained operatives were involved in every attack in Pakistan," he told private Geo television from London, where he lives in self-imposed exile. "Osama is killed but it does not mean terrorism has come to an end."
DPA/ The Interview People
