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Pakistan Closes All Schools After Bombings

Taliban promises more violence unless army halts offensive

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 21, 2009 10:10 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Pakistan closed all of its schools today, following the twin suicide attacks on the International Islamic University in Islamabad yesterday. Four were killed and another 18 wounded, and the Taliban has promised more bombings if Pakistan doesn’t halt its military offensive in South Waziristan’s tribal areas. Pakistan’s interior minister said the country is now in a state of war.

The closure is indefinite, according to a BBC correspondent, but could end next week if security improves. “Students are terrified, and they’re afraid to go out,” says one student. “Roads are almost empty and people are staying home.”

Pakistani paramilitary soldiers stand guard outside Karachi University, which was closed after yesterday's twin suicide bombings on Islamabad's International Islamic University, Oct. 21, 2009.
Pakistani paramilitary soldiers stand guard outside Karachi University, which was closed after yesterday's twin suicide bombings on Islamabad's International Islamic University, Oct. 21, 2009.   (AP Photo/Fareed Khan)
Pakistani police officers observes motorists at a checkpoint in Lahore, Pakistan on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009.
Pakistani police officers observes motorists at a checkpoint in Lahore, Pakistan on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009.   (AP Photo/K.M.Chaudary0)
Supporters of Islami Jamiat Tulba, a religious student group, hold a rally to condemn yesterday's twin suicide bombings on Islamabad's International Islamic University, Oct. 21, 2009, in Karachi.
Supporters of Islami Jamiat Tulba, a religious student group, hold a rally to condemn yesterday's twin suicide bombings on Islamabad's International Islamic University, Oct. 21, 2009, in Karachi.   (AP Photo/Fareed Khan)
Students prepare for funeral prayers for the victims of Tuesday's twin suicide bombings at the International Islamic University in Islamabad, Pakistan, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009.
Students prepare for funeral prayers for the victims of Tuesday's twin suicide bombings at the International Islamic University in Islamabad, Pakistan, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009.   (AP Photo/Alexandre Meneghini)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
serfinWI
Oct 21, 2009 6:26 AM CDT
United Nincompoops are not anyone's enemy and won't do a thing except pontificate on peace and threaten (but not enact) sanctions, their M.O. Pakistan is and always was a failed state, ever since the British Empire pulled out of India after WW2 and was partitioned into Hindu and Muslim countries. Why build schools and infrastructure in a war zone. Ridiculous. They either get bombed or have to close. Same with Afganistan.
diltsduo
Oct 21, 2009 6:12 AM CDT
They wont stop unless things improve. Pakistan said they are in a "State of War" and i really cant see the UN backing down over terrorism and bombing of schools. Looks like the Taliban made a new major enemy..
WallyEFunk
Oct 21, 2009 3:59 AM CDT
You can't stop or terrorism wins. Best of luck to them.

 
Taliban • Pakistan • suicide bombing • school • university • South Waziristan

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