By MUNIR AHMAD, Associated Press Writer 1 minute ago
A powerful bomb ripped through a bus carrying employees from the armed forces, while a device tied to a motorcycle went off in a commercial district near Pakistan’s capital Tuesday, authorities and local media said. At least 15 people were killed in the blasts.
The first bomb exploded on a bus traveling through Rawalpindi, a garrison city about seven miles southwest of Islamabad, killing at least 10 people, army spokesman Maj. Gen. Waheed Arshad said.
Mohammed Afzal, an area police official, said the 72-seater bus belonged to the Pakistan army and was destroyed in the blast. Arshad didn’t that the bus belonged to the army.
“I am not in a position to give you any such information at this stage,” he told The Associated Press.
As the ambulances were transporting victims from the bus blast, a second bomb went off in one of Rawalpindi’s commercial districts, killing at least five people, Afzal said.
He said the dead and injured had been transported to two different hospitals.
Afzal didn’t provide any information about those who were killed or injured in the second blast.
“We only know that it was a motorcycle bomb. It exploded with a big bang and killed at least five people.”
Pakistan is a key ally of the U.S. in its war on terror. It has witnessed scores of bomb attacks and other acts of terrorism since the Sept. 11 attacks in the U.S. Officials have blamed pro-Taliban and al-Qaida elements for most of the attacks.
Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayehi Rajioun. Cowards will remain cowards, I thought negotiations were taking place with them.
Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayehi Rajioun. My thoughts for the families of the victims. I hope that the government will change course by not being a stooge of the US.
This could've been any number of groups that are against the Pakistani state.
Its not much American, its most of our own ISI failure they failed to contain the monster they created (Taliban).
ISI can't control jack these days. Itself divided between the realists who know what is going to happen when Americans leave and the stooges of America.
I am speaking purely out of the interests of Pakistan, when I say that things are getting worse because of this unparalleled US support. Once the US pulls (and it will happen) you will have a long list of groups with grievances against the state?
I mean this is in Islamabad, the capital of a military controlled government..do you seriously think that this can be stopped?
I mean this is in Islamabad, the capital of a military controlled government..do you seriously think that this can be stopped?
I understand it alright, but then there will be groups who will be dissatisfied with government for one reason or the other, in such large country it is very hard to keep them together keeping them happy is next to impossible. Largely operations in Waziristan and FATA are going to earn enemies for state of Pakistan but they will be able to "speak out" once 'feeding-hand' is gone.
I understand it alright, but then there will be groups who will be dissatisfied with government for one reason or the other, in such large country it is very hard to keep them together keeping them happy is next to impossible. Largely operations in Waziristan and FATA are going to earn enemies for state of Pakistan but they will be able to "speak out" once 'feeding-hand' is gone.
You're absolutely correct in mentioning the dissatisfaction. Political solution is needed instead of military one. After the *amazing *performances in E. Pakistan, Baluchistan (before Z-A-Haq brokered a ceasefire), and Karachi, have we not learned the lessons?
I don't want to see Pakistan civilians and military getting butchered by these bombings. The US is not a good example of counter terror efforts: It may have avoided acts of terror on its soil by bringing the war to Iraq and Afghanistan, but at the expense of its young soldiers. Not a day goes by with an American casualty.
All this situation is army created.
They are fighting their battle of survival in Pakistan as far as retention of power is concerned and agencies have resorted to engineer mass murder of Pakistani innocent people.
They need threat of terror for their survival as the only power controlling Pakistan.
They can resort to any extent to achieve their objective. All these Taliban and ALQ type are directly under the command of Pakistan army.
Remember Musharraf on May 12th after killing 50 innocent people Karachi how he boasted about his power in Islamabad. This shows the mindset of these people.
This kind of terror will continue as long as army remains amongst the power corridors and instead of concentrating on their own job they continue to play this power game.
