Suicide bomber kills eight in Pakistan

Friday's assault was likely to spark concern among some defence experts in the West because some analysts said they believe Pakistan might be keeping jet fighters that can carry nuclear warheads at the base in Kamra.

Fri Oct 23, 2009 6:43am EDT



The only nuclear-armed Islamic state has asserted that its atomic arsenal, which is kept at undisclosed locations, is safe.

By Zeeshan Haider

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - A Taliban suicide bomber killed eight people outside a key Pakistani airforce facility on Friday, with officials quick to deny suggestions the target was linked to the country's nuclear program.

The bomber detonated explosives strapped to his body at a checkpoint outside the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex in Kamra, some 75 kms (45 miles) northwest of the capital, Islamabad.

Hours later, a car bomb exploded outside a restaurant in the northwestern city of Peshawar, wounding 15 people, two of them seriously, officials said.

The attacks come as the army continues a major offensive against Pakistani Taliban militant strongholds in South Waziristan, near the Afghan border.

The offensive has raised fears the insurgents will step up a suicide bombing campaign on urban targets. Over 150 people have been killed in a series of brazen attacks in the past few weeks.

"Eight people were killed and 13 were wounded, three of them seriously," said Shaukat Sultan, head of the main government hospital in Kamra, scene of Friday's airbase attack.

Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani told a cabinet meeting on Wednesday that the country's nuclear infrastructure was safe and faced no threat from Taliban militants.

An airforce official was quick to dispel suggestions on Friday that the Kamra facility was linked to the weapons program.

"It's nonsense. It's rubbish," the official told Reuters.

Friday's attack came a day after an army brigadier and his driver were killed in a drive-by shooting in Islamabad, while at least six people, including two suicide bombers, died in twin attacks at an Islamic University in the capital on Tuesday.

MORE ATTACKS

Analysts have warned of the possibility of more attacks as the militants come under pressure in South Waziristan, with the Taliban hoping bloodshed and disruption will cause the government and ordinary people to lose their appetite for the offensive.

The offensive is a test of the government's determination to tackle Islamic fundamentalists, and the campaign is being closely followed by the U.S. and other powers embroiled in Afghanistan.

It is also affecting the financial markets, with the benchmark KSE index falling around six percent this week.

The index rose slightly in the morning session on Friday, but remained jittery following the Peshawar blast.

"The law and order situation once again got the better of the market, and investors started selling their shares after the blast in Peshawar," said Asad Iqbal, managing director at Ismail Iqbal Securities Ltd.

Remote and rugged South Waziristan, with its rocky mountains and patchy forests cut through by dry creeks and ravines, is a global hub for militants who flit between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

About 28,000 soldiers are battling an estimated 10,000 hard-core Taliban, including about 1,000 tough Uzbek fighters and some Arab al Qaeda members.

The military said 13 militants and two soldiers were killed in fighting during the past 24 hours, though a militant spokesman said they have lost just three fighters since the offensive began on Saturday. There was no independence verification of the claims and counter-claims.

Foreign journalists are not allowed anywhere near the battle zone and it is dangerous even for Pakistani reporters to visit. Independent confirmation of casualty figures has not been possible.

More than 100,000 civilians have fled the area, with about 32,000 leaving since October 13, the United Nations said.

Some 15 women and children traveling to a wedding were killed when their vehicle hit a land mine in another volatile tribal region on the Afghan border, officials said.


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Fears Taliban are targeting Pakistan's nuclear program as suicide bomber kills eight at airforce facility

By Mail Foreign Service
Last updated at 10:24 AM on 23rd October 2009


There are fears extremists are targeting Pakistan’s nuclear program after a Taliban suicide bomber killed eight people outside a key airforce facility today.

The bomber detonated explosives strapped to his body at a checkpoint outside the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex in Kamra, some 45 miles northwest of the capital, Islamabad.

There were also police and hospital reports of a blast in the northwest city of Peshawar that wounded seven people.
Security personal stand at the checkpoint where a suicide attack took place in Kamra, Pakistan, today

Security personnel stand at the checkpoint where a suicide attack took place in Kamra, Pakistan, today

Officials quickly denied suggestions the attack at the airforce facility was proof the Taliban are focusing on nuclear targets.

The attacks come as the army continues a major offensive against Pakistani Taliban militant strongholds in South Waziristan, near the Afgfhan border.

The offensive has raised fears the insurgents will step up a suicide bombing campaign on urban targets. Over 150 people have been killed in a series of attacks in the past few weeks.

'Eight people were killed and 13 were wounded, three of them seriously,' said Shaukat Sultan, head of the main government hospital in Kamra.

Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani told a cabinet meeting on Wednesday that the country's nuclear infrastructure was safe and faced no threat from Taliban militants, and an airforce official was quick to dispel suggestions today that the Kamra facility was linked to the weapons program.
A policeman stands guard outside the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex which was targeted today

A policeman stands guard outside the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex which was targeted this morning

'It's nonsense. It's rubbish,' the airforce official told Reuters.

Today’s attack came a day after an army brigadier and his driver were killed in a drive-by shooting in Islamabad, while at least six people, including two suicide bombers, died in twin attacks at an Islamic University in the capital on Tuesday.

Analysts have warned of the possibility of more attacks as the militants come under pressure in South Waziristan, with the Taliban hoping bloodshed and disruption will cause the government and ordinary people to lose their appetite for the offensive.

The offensive is a test of the government's determination to tackle Islamic fundamentalists, and the campaign is being closely followed by the US and other powers embroiled in Afghanistan.
The bomber detonated a vest of explosives at an airforce facility, killing eight people

The bomber detonated a vest of explosives at the airforce facility, killing eight people and injuring 13

About 28,000 soldiers are battling an estimated 10,000 hard-core Taliban, including about 1,000 tough Uzbek fighters and some Arab al Qaeda members.

The army said 24 militants and two soldiers were killed in the fighting on Thursday.

Foreign journalists are not allowed anywhere near the battle zone and it is dangerous even for Pakistani reporters to visit. Independent confirmation of casualty figures has not been possible.

More than 100,000 civilians have fled the area, with about 32,000 leaving since October 13, the United Nations said.

The army has launched brief offensives in South Waziristan before, the first in 2004 when it suffered heavy casualties before striking a peace pact

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