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Bloody Pakistan Mosque Blast

Suicide bomber kills dozens at prayer

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 21, 2007 3:10 AM CST

(Newser) – A suicide bomber has killed at least 50 people praying in a mosque in northwestern Pakistan. The bomber blew himself up in the middle of a crowd saying Eid prayers. Former interior minister Aftab Sherpao is believed to have been the target, and reportedly survived the attack. An attempt on his life in April killed 28.

"The bomber was among the people, who were offering Eid prayers," said a police chief. "He was standing in the second row behind the former interior minister." A wave of bloody suicide bombings in Pakistan in the last six months has been blamed on Islamic militants in the northwest, who count Sherpao among their fiercest foes.

Pakistan's former Interior Minister Aftab Khan Sherpao speaks during a press conference in Peshawar, Pakistan on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2007. A suicide attacker detonated a bomb early Friday at a mosque outside the home of Sherpao as he received visitors on an Islamic holiday, killing at least 20 people and...
Pakistan's former Interior Minister Aftab Khan Sherpao speaks during a press conference in Peshawar, Pakistan on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2007. A suicide attacker detonated a bomb early Friday at a mosque outside...   (Associated Press)
Police inspect the remains of a suicide car bomb after it was driven into a police checkpoint in Baqouba, 60 kilometers (35 miles) northeast of Baghdad, Iraq, on Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2007. The attack killed two and wounded 15, police said. (AP Photo)
Police inspect the remains of a suicide car bomb after it was driven into a police checkpoint in Baqouba, 60 kilometers (35 miles) northeast of Baghdad, Iraq, on Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2007. The attack killed...   (Associated Press)
This television frame grab shows an injured Pakistani carried by volunteers as he arrives for treatment at a hospital in Charsada. At least 50 people were killed in a suicide bombing at a Pakistan mosque, police said, in an attack apparently aimed at one of the country's leading opponents of...
This television frame grab shows an injured Pakistani carried by volunteers as he arrives for treatment at a hospital in Charsada. At least 50 people were killed in a suicide bombing at a Pakistan mosque,...   (Getty Images)
An injured victim of a suicide bombing is carried into a local hospital for treatment in Peshawar, Pakistan on Friday, Dec. 21, 2007. A suicide attacker detonated a bomb packed with ball bearings and nails amid hundreds of holiday worshippers at the home of Pakistan's former interior minister, killing at...
An injured victim of a suicide bombing is carried into a local hospital for treatment in Peshawar, Pakistan on Friday, Dec. 21, 2007. A suicide attacker detonated a bomb packed with ball bearings and...   (Associated Press)
At least 50 people were killed in a suicide bombing at a Pakistan mosque, police said, in an attack apparently aimed at one of the country's leading opponents of Islamist militants.The bomber blew himself up in a crowded mosque at the residential compound of Aftab Sherpao, a close ally...
At least 50 people were killed in a suicide bombing at a Pakistan mosque, police said, in an attack apparently aimed at one of the country's leading opponents of Islamist militants.The bomber blew himself...
An injured victim of a suicide bombing is treated at a local hospital in Peshawar, Pakistan on Friday, Dec. 21, 2007. A suicide attacker detonated a bomb packed with ball bearings and nails amid hundreds of holiday worshippers at the home of Pakistan's former interior minister, killing at least 42...
An injured victim of a suicide bombing is treated at a local hospital in Peshawar, Pakistan on Friday, Dec. 21, 2007. A suicide attacker detonated a bomb packed with ball bearings and nails amid hundreds...   (Associated Press)
Pakistani security officials and local residents look belongings of the victims at the site of suicide bombing in Sherpao, a village 40 kilometers (25 miles) northeast Peshawar, Pakistan on Friday, Dec. 21, 2007. A suicide attacker detonated a bomb packed with ball bearings and nails amid hundreds of holiday worshippers...
Pakistani security officials and local residents look belongings of the victims at the site of suicide bombing in Sherpao, a village 40 kilometers (25 miles) northeast Peshawar, Pakistan on Friday, Dec....   (Associated Press)
Local residents gather to identify the dead bodies of victims of a suicide bombing in Sherpao, a village 40 kilometers (25 miles) northeast of Peshawar, Pakistan on Friday, Dec. 21, 2007. A suicide attacker detonated a bomb packed with ball bearings and nails amid hundreds of holiday worshippers at the...
Local residents gather to identify the dead bodies of victims of a suicide bombing in Sherpao, a village 40 kilometers (25 miles) northeast of Peshawar, Pakistan on Friday, Dec. 21, 2007. A suicide attacker...   (Associated Press)
Pakistan's former Interior Minister Aftab Khan Sharpao, center, visits a local hospital to meet with victims of a suicide bombing, Friday, Dec. 21, 2007, in Peshawar, Pakistan. A suicide attacker detonated a bomb packed with ball bearings and nails amid hundreds of holiday worshippers at the home of Pakistan's former...
Pakistan's former Interior Minister Aftab Khan Sharpao, center, visits a local hospital to meet with victims of a suicide bombing, Friday, Dec. 21, 2007, in Peshawar, Pakistan. A suicide attacker detonated...   (Associated Press)
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