This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/6127262.stm
The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 10 | Version 11 |
---|---|
Bomber kills 42 Pakistani troops | Bomber kills 42 Pakistani troops |
(about 5 hours later) | |
A suicide bomber has killed at least 42 soldiers as they exercised at an army training school in north-west Pakistan. | |
It is the deadliest attack by militants on the army since it began operations against pro-Taleban and al-Qaeda fighters close to the Afghan border. | It is the deadliest attack by militants on the army since it began operations against pro-Taleban and al-Qaeda fighters close to the Afghan border. |
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack. | There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack. |
It happened in the town of Dargai in North West Frontier Province, not far from where the army said it killed some 80 militants last week. | It happened in the town of Dargai in North West Frontier Province, not far from where the army said it killed some 80 militants last week. |
The BBC's M Ilyas Khan says Wednesday's attack could undermine recent agreements between the military and pro-Taleban militants in other border areas. | The BBC's M Ilyas Khan says Wednesday's attack could undermine recent agreements between the military and pro-Taleban militants in other border areas. |
Emotions in the region have been running high since an air strike on a religious school (madrassa) last week in the neighbouring area of Bajaur, in which the army said 80 militants were killed. | Emotions in the region have been running high since an air strike on a religious school (madrassa) last week in the neighbouring area of Bajaur, in which the army said 80 militants were killed. |
Local people insisted the dead were innocent religious students. | Local people insisted the dead were innocent religious students. |
'Expected' | 'Expected' |
The army base targeted in Wednesday's suicide bombing is about 40km (30 miles) south-east of the bombed madrassa. | The army base targeted in Wednesday's suicide bombing is about 40km (30 miles) south-east of the bombed madrassa. |
MILITANT ATTACKS 25 June 2002 - 10 soldiers killed during raid on alleged Al Qaeda hideout in South Waziristan14 Dec 2002 - Failed attempt to assassinate President Musharraf in Rawalpindi25 Dec 2002 - 15 killed in suicide car bomb attack on Gen Musharraf who escapes unscathed16 March 2004 - 18 security personnel killed in ambush in South Waziristan22 March - 19 solders killed in South Waziristan10 June 2004 - 11 soldiers killed in attack on convoy carrying the current vice chief of army staff30 September 2005 - 11 soldiers killed in South Waziristan8 November 2006 - At least 42 soldiers killed by suicide attacker in North West Frontier Province href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/6130194.stm" class="">'Ominous omens' for army | |
"The attack was carried out by a man who got down from a car wearing a chaddor [cloak] and walked into the parade," Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao said. | "The attack was carried out by a man who got down from a car wearing a chaddor [cloak] and walked into the parade," Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao said. |
"After the Bajaur incident this was expected, but we will continue the fight against terror. We condemn it, innocent lives were lost." | "After the Bajaur incident this was expected, but we will continue the fight against terror. We condemn it, innocent lives were lost." |
The US government condemned the army camp attack and praised the efforts of the Pakistani government in tackling militants. | |
An eyewitness, Aurangzeb, told the BBC he saw soldiers picking up scattered body parts minutes after the explosion. | An eyewitness, Aurangzeb, told the BBC he saw soldiers picking up scattered body parts minutes after the explosion. |
"The victims were dying. Their shoes and caps were scattered all over the place," he said. | "The victims were dying. Their shoes and caps were scattered all over the place," he said. |
It appeared that most of the men who died were military recruits who had been doing morning exercises. | It appeared that most of the men who died were military recruits who had been doing morning exercises. |
Up to 20 soldiers were wounded in the attack. Some are believed to be in a critical condition. | Up to 20 soldiers were wounded in the attack. Some are believed to be in a critical condition. |
The military are reported to have sealed off the area and also the hospital where the wounded are being treated. | The military are reported to have sealed off the area and also the hospital where the wounded are being treated. |
Dargai is a stronghold of a banned pro-Taleban movement, Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-Mohammadi (TNSM). | Dargai is a stronghold of a banned pro-Taleban movement, Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-Mohammadi (TNSM). |
The head of the madrassa targeted last week was a TNSM member. He was killed in the attack. | The head of the madrassa targeted last week was a TNSM member. He was killed in the attack. |
Survivors examine the dead after Wednesday's attack | |
The TNSM led thousands of tribesmen across the border into Afghanistan to take on American forces after the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. Many never returned. | The TNSM led thousands of tribesmen across the border into Afghanistan to take on American forces after the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. Many never returned. |
In recent days, tribesmen have openly threatened suicide attacks against the army in retaliation for the madrassa air raid which many also blamed on US forces across the border. | |
Pakistan has deployed nearly 80,000 troops along the border to hunt militants who sought refuge after the ousting of the Taleban in Afghanistan in 2001. | Pakistan has deployed nearly 80,000 troops along the border to hunt militants who sought refuge after the ousting of the Taleban in Afghanistan in 2001. |
Have you been affected by this incident? Are you in Dargai? Send us your comments and experiences. | Have you been affected by this incident? Are you in Dargai? Send us your comments and experiences. |