[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/05/28/pakistan.peshawar.blast/art.peshawar.bomb.afp.gi.jpg caption="Smoke billows from a fire at the site of a marketplace bomb in Peshawar, Pakistan, on Thursday."]
CNN
A series of explosions in northwest Pakistan killed eight people Thursday night, and two suspected militants died in a gunbattle with Peshawar police on a rooftop, authorities said.
Peshawar is the capital of North West Frontier Province, an area where the military has launched a massive operation against Taliban militants.
The carnage began early in the evening when timed explosive devices on two parked motorcycles exploded back-to-back, killing five people at two crowded, adjacent bazaars, said Shafqat Malik, Peshawar bomb disposal squad chief. He told a local TV station each device weighed about 3 kilograms (7 pounds).
Two children were among the dead, according to the district coordination officer of Peshawar District, Sahib Zada Muhammad Anis Khan.
Khan said at least 74 people were wounded in the attacks, which occurred about 5:45 p.m. in central Peshawar. The markets, Qissa Khawani and Kabari, are part of the larger Khyber Bazaar. The Kabari Bazaar sells DVDs, music cassettes and televisions.
After the bazaar attacks, several of the suspects fled to a rooftop where there was a gunbattle between them and police. Two of the suspected militants were killed, and two were taken into custody, police said
|
Filed under: 360° Radar • Pakistan • Taliban |
Anderson Cooper goes beyond the headlines to tell stories from many points of view, so you can make up your own mind about the news. Tune in weeknights at 8 and 10 ET on CNN.
Questions or comments? Send an email
Want to know more? Go behind the scenes with AC361°
The US should limit its support to Pakistan to what it is currently doing today – providing relief to the people caught in this struggle and having to refugee to ensure their safety. We still need to get out of Iraq and finish up in Afghanistan before we commit ourselves militarily anywhere else. I think in our military commitments we should focus on trying to work with the people of that country to improve their standard of living, their economy, etc. rather than fight their battles for them. Constructive action rather than destructive action will last a much longer time and do the least to encourage others in the country to join the extremists.
Let me see,we have rules of engagement to not kill innocent civilians. Then again, the muslims can kill as many civilians as they can and nobody says anthing about it. For that matter, nothing will be done so long as the Muslim terrorist hide amongst the civilan population. We have to take a lesson from Saddam Hussein. He ruled Iraq for over 40 years and I don't recall hearing about any terrorist attacks in Iraq in that time period. He apparently knew how to keep muslims in line.
I guarantee unless the United States intervenes immediatly were going to see a national crises unfold right before our eyes in Pakistan. We need to go in the country of Pakistan and rid out all Al Quida terroists. President Obama needs to get into talks with President AL Swadari to get control of this crises.
Scott Stodden
(Freeport, Il)