Pakistan Suicide Bombing Kills Moderate Cleric

Suicide bomber hits mosque during Friday prayers

(AP) - A suicide bomber struck a mosque in a Pakistani tribal region during Friday prayers, officials said, killing at least 40 people and wounding 85 others in the deadliest attack in the country in recent weeks. Some 300 people had gathered for prayers this afternoon in the Sunni mosque, and many were on their way out when the explosion occurred. "All the evidence we have gathered confirms that it is a suicide attack," a local official said. More»

Attackers fire on worshipers before blowing themselves up

(AP) - At least 35 people were killed when two suicide bombers stormed a mosque near Pakistan's army headquarters today.They opened fire on worshipers and threw grenades before blowing themselves up in a heavily fortified area, the AP reports. Officials say 70 others were injured in the attack in Rawalpindi, a garrison city a few miles outside the capital. More»

Military says deaths due to locals settling scores

(NEWSER) - Pakistan’s army took over the Swat Valley two months ago, ending Taliban control of the region—but lately, violence has swept the streets, with hundreds of bodies reportedly strewn about, the New York Times reports. The military says it’s a matter of revenge killings between locals, but human rights groups and locals say the army has a hand in what appears to be widespread, systematic violence. More»

Maulana Fazlullah either surrounded or arrested as Pakistani offensive continues

(NEWSER) - A Taliban-controlled pirate radio station announced the militant group's surrender in the Swat Valley, after yet another key leader was said to have been arrested by the Pakistani military, the Telegraph reports. Though some reports claim that Maulana Fazlullah is surrounded by Pakistani forces, sources tell the Telegraph that he has already been arrested—but that an official announcement will not be made until early next week. More»

(AP) - Pakistani soldiers arrested the spokesman for the Taliban in the Swat Valley and four other commanders, striking the first direct blow against the leadership of the insurgency in the one-time tourist resort. The capture of spokesman Muslim Khan and the others could be a big blow to the Taliban's hopes of staging a comeback in the region, which borders Afghanistan. More»