Pattaya Daily News

Published : July 10, 2010 :: 12:07:26 [ 653 views ]

At least 62 people have died on Friday following two suicide bomb attacks outside regional government offices in northwestern Pakistan. Over 100 people have reportedly been injured in the attacks, which are thought to have been linked to Taliban militia operating in the volatile region.

Peshawar, the 9^th of July 2010 [PDN]: The dual bombing occurred in the village of Yakaghund in the countries tribal Mohmand area in the northwest. Reportedly, the bombers may have been targeting a meeting of local anti-Taliban elders gathered in the government offices nearby the blast sites.

The attacks occurred within seconds of each other, one blast being described at “massive.” Footage of the incident showed dozens of men searching through piles of rubble and debris for survivors. One blast occurred outside the office of a deputy Mohmand administrator, who escaped unhurt.

Approximately 80 shops and local businesses were damaged or destroyed in the blasts, one of which was almost certainly detonated from a motorcycle. The blast also destroyed part of a local prison, allowing some 28 prisoners (non-militant) to escape.

The attacks are thought to be the work of Taliban militia who along with al-Qaida have long had strongholds in the volatile border region with Afghanistan. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attacks however, whilst the Pakistani Taliban spokespersons could not be reached for comment.

Despite the Pakistani Army, US Military and civilian resistance in the Mohmand region, northwestern Pakistan is still considered one of the terrorist militia’s major redouts. Nevertheless, fewer bombing attacks have occurred in the region this year, thought to be the result of growing civilian dissent against the militia and successful US missile raids in the region.

Washington is now believed to be watching the Pakistani government closely over their handling of the militant crisis, pushing the South Asian country to wage an all out war on the Taliban and al-Qaida fighters who use their territory to mount attacks on western forces in Afghanistan.

Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, speaking regarding relations between the US and Pakistan, stated, both countries should try harder to increase mutual trust. He said Pakistan was doing its utmost to combat militancy, and “expected friendly countries like (the) U.S. to share with it credible and actionable information rather than indulging in blame game, in order to achieve our shared and common goal of succeeding against militancy.”

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Type : World News
Story : John Weston
Photo : Internet

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