Nawab Bugti is dead...

...but what a way to go :).

Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti - the tiger of Balochistan. What a strange character he was! As well-educated as anybody (Oxford Univerity grad), well-read to a fault (he used to read tonnes of books), and yet had the temper of an animal (he first murdered at the age of twelve. Apparently, his victim was annoying him).

I've heard that he was a very difficult person. Very arrogant. Steeped in his tribal values. I can see how education must have made things worse rather than better, since it gave reasoning to his violence...logic to his values. Whatever his character, one thing is for sure now - Mush bhai has, with a flair of the artillery at his behest, given him instant martyrdom in the eyes of the public. Nawab Bugti is a hero. Go to any newspaper editorial on him...most mention his controversial aspects, but almost all of them end by christening him a hero. Why? Because the public and the media are tired of Mush bhai and the rule of the army. To them, the killing of a politician like Nawab Bugti (whether it be for right or wrong...that's irrelevant) chalks another line against army rule.

Say whatever you want about Nawab Bugti though...one thing is for certain. He sure went with a performer's bow. The last few days were his final performance on the stage, and I think he knew it. No, I'm certain he knew that his days were numbered. And here's the interesting thing...something that newspapers have not picked up on yet, and that somebody close to me pointed out recently. Nawab Bugti was in a cave in Bhamboor Hills in Balochistan when the military attack occurred on him. Wanna know who else was from Bhamboor?

Sassi - one of the most revered fictional characters of Baloch literature.