20 Dead in Pakistan Blasts

Ex-PM charges bias, says he attended husband's torture

(NEWSER) - The detective probing last week's bomb attack on Bhutto quit today, after the two-time PM accused him of bias, the BBC reports. Bhutto claimed that Manzur Mughal attended her husband's torture eight years ago, and Pakistan did not deny it. “The investigation team will be formed anew,” an official said, "in view of the objections raised by Benazir Bhutto on the chief investigator's credentials." More»

(NEWSER) - A "ball of fire" turned a Karachi street from a scene of celebration into one of "absolute horror and carnage" early this morning after two explosions killed at least 136 people gathered to hail the return of former Pakistan Prime Minster Benazir Bhutto, reports the BBC. The Pakistan government has blamed Islamic militants for the grenade attack and suicide bombing that also injured 387 people. More»

150 militants hit five security posts

(AP) - Some 150 Islamist militants attacked five security posts today in an unusually large and coordinated assault close to the Afghan border, sparking hours of fighting that killed 11 soldiers and wounded 12, officials said; 24 insurgents died. Al-Qaeda and Taliban militants often stage attacks in northwest Pakistan, but the overnight assaults were notable for their size and the level of planning needed. More»

Secretary of state says 'this is our struggle as well'

(AP) - Offering sympathy for victims of today's terrorist bombing, Hillary Clinton praised Pakistan's offensive against extremists and pledged US support at a critical point in the country's history. "Pakistan is in the midst of a struggle against tenacious and brutal extremist groups who kill innocent people and terrorize communities," the secretary of state said, just hours after a car bomb killed more than 90 people and wounded more than 200 at a Peshawar market. More»

Taliban blasts rock civilian government

(NEWSER) - The death toll in yesterday's twin suicide blasts in Pakistan has risen to 70 people as the tragedy continues to rattle the civilian government just days after the ouster of President Pervez Musharraf, the New York Times reports. Pakistan's Taliban has claimed responsibility for the bombings at the gates of the country's main weapons complex, and warned of more to come if the government fails to cease operations against militants in the country's tribal areas. More»