Member for

3 years 10 months
Submitted by ctv_en_6 on Sat, 12/19/2009 - 16:48
A suicide bomber set off a powerful bomb outside a mosque in northwestern Pakistan just after police officers had finished their Friday prayers, claiming the lives of 10 people. This was the second attack against a mosque used by security forces in two weeks.

No group has claimed responsibility for the bombing that also wounded 25 people in Lower Dir region, but the Taliban has carried out similar attacks throughout the country. Most of the victims were police leaving the mosque after prayers, said the area's police chief, Feroze Khan.

Taliban militants have stepped up their campaign of violence inside Pakistan since the military launched a major offensive in mid-October in the militant stronghold of South Waziristan near the Afghan border.

The bombing came as pressure increased on senior Pakistani officials facing corruption charges following the Supreme Court's decision to strike down an amnesty issued by former President Pervez Musharraf. The ensuing political turmoil threatens to distract the government from its fight against the militants.

That scenario is a major concern to the Obama administration, which has not only pressed Pakistan to continue its offensive against militants threatening the state, but also to expand its operations to target Taliban and al-Qaida fighters launching cross-border attacks against coalition troops in Afghanistan.

AP

Add new comment

Đăng ẩn
Tắt