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Suicide Attacks Kill 4 at Pakistani School

Simultaneous blasts hit women's cafeteria of Islamic University

By the Associated Press

Posted Oct 20, 2009 10:08 AM CDT

(AP) – Two suicide attackers bombed an Islamic university in the Pakistani capital today, killing four people and wounding 18 as the army pressed ahead with a critical offensive on a Taliban stronghold near Afghanistan, authorities said. The near simultaneous blasts hit a women's cafeteria and a faculty building at Islamabad's International Islamic University. They followed warnings this week by authorities of militant attacks on schools and universities that had prompted many to close.

"It seems that (militant) sympathizers or collaborators are doing this to divert attention from the military operation," the university's president told the AP, referring to recent military action in South Waziristan. "They are trying to create panic in the capital city." The university on the outskirts of the capital has more than 18,000 students, nearly half of them women. Many students come from abroad, and most take secular subjects such as management science or computer studies.

Pakistani police officers examine the site of a suicide bombing in Islamic University in Islamabad, Pakistan on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009.
Pakistani police officers examine the site of a suicide bombing in Islamic University in Islamabad, Pakistan on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009.   (Anjum Naveed)
Pakistani security officials collect evidence from the site of a suicide bombing in Islamic University in Islamabad, Pakistan on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009.
Pakistani security officials collect evidence from the site of a suicide bombing in Islamic University in Islamabad, Pakistan on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009.   (Anjum Naveed)
A Pakistani police officer stands next a hole caused by suicide bombing in Islamic University in Islamabad, Pakistan on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009.
A Pakistani police officer stands next a hole caused by suicide bombing in Islamic University in Islamabad, Pakistan on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009.   (Anjum Naveed)
A police officer looks for evidence at the site of a suicide bombing at the Islamic University in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009.
A police officer looks for evidence at the site of a suicide bombing at the Islamic University in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009.   (Alexandre Meneghini)
A Pakistani security official stands outside the site of a suicide bombing at the Islamic University in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009.
A Pakistani security official stands outside the site of a suicide bombing at the Islamic University in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009.   (Alexandre Meneghini)
A Pakistani security official and media persons are seen through a hole caused by a suicide bombing in Islamic University in Islamabad, Pakistan on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009.
A Pakistani security official and media persons are seen through a hole caused by a suicide bombing in Islamic University in Islamabad, Pakistan on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009.   (Anjum Naveed)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
justme
Oct 20, 2009 11:30 AM CDT
Extremists cutting their own throats by attacking the best and brightest of the youth. These are the next leaders in business and government. Can't imagine they (especially the women) will be too sympathetic to the Al quaida or the Taliban.

Copyright 2012 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.

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