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Bomb kills senior Pakistan cleric Bomb kills senior Pakistan cleric
(about 1 hour later)
A leading anti-Taliban cleric has been killed in a suspected suicide bomb attack at his Islamic religious school in the Pakistani city of Lahore.A leading anti-Taliban cleric has been killed in a suspected suicide bomb attack at his Islamic religious school in the Pakistani city of Lahore.
The explosion struck the Jaamia Naeemia madrassa around the time of Friday prayers, killing Sarfraz Naeemi, who often spoke out against militants.The explosion struck the Jaamia Naeemia madrassa around the time of Friday prayers, killing Sarfraz Naeemi, who often spoke out against militants.
Another blast hit a mosque close to a military depot in the north-western garrison town of Nowshera.Another blast hit a mosque close to a military depot in the north-western garrison town of Nowshera.
At least six people were reported dead in the simultaneous suicide attacks.At least six people were reported dead in the simultaneous suicide attacks.
The attacks come as Pakistan's army is broadening its offensive against the Taliban in north-western areas following gains made in the Swat valley area.The attacks come as Pakistan's army is broadening its offensive against the Taliban in north-western areas following gains made in the Swat valley area.
Swat supporterSwat supporter
In Lahore, the senior cleric at the Jaamia Naeemia madrassa, Sarfraz Naeemi, was greeting visitors in his office after Friday prayers when suicide bomber managed to get inside and detonate explosives. In Lahore, the senior cleric at the Jaamia Naeemia madrassa, Sarfraz Naeemi, was greeting visitors in his office after Friday prayers when the suicide bomber managed to get inside and detonate explosives.
He was seriously injured and was said to have died on his way to hospital.He was seriously injured and was said to have died on his way to hospital.
A spokesman for the madrassa confirmed that Mr Naeemi had been killed by the blast. There were other reports of injuries.A spokesman for the madrassa confirmed that Mr Naeemi had been killed by the blast. There were other reports of injuries.
A leading Sunni Muslim scholar opposed to the Taliban, he was known for his outspoken views against suicide bombings and militancy. Mr Naeemi's son, Waqar, was close by when the bomber struck.
"I was still in the mosque when I heard a big bang. We rushed toward the office and there was a smell of explosives in the air. There was blood and several people were crying in pain," the Associated Press reported him as saying.
Images emerged from the scene of significant damage to the office where the explosives were detonated.
Sarfraz Naeemi was also shown on a stretcher, his clothes and beard spattered with masonry dust.
A leading Sunni Muslim scholar opposed to the Taliban, Mr Naeemi was known for his outspoken views against suicide bombings and militancy.
He was one of the few scholars who had openly supported the ongoing military operation in Swat and had labelled the activities of the Taliban "un-Islamic".He was one of the few scholars who had openly supported the ongoing military operation in Swat and had labelled the activities of the Taliban "un-Islamic".
Mr Naeemi was part of a conference of Islamic scholars, convened by the government in May, criticising suicide attacks and the beheading of innocent Muslims as un-Islamic. Mr Naeemi took part in a conference of Islamic scholars, convened by the government in May, which criticised suicide attacks and the beheading of innocent Muslims as un-Islamic.
He also told the media that Taliban were "misusing" religion for their activities and were bringing a bad name to the Islamic faith.He also told the media that Taliban were "misusing" religion for their activities and were bringing a bad name to the Islamic faith.
North-western unrestNorth-western unrest
The other attack, in Nowshera, took place in a military high-security zone, close to an armed forces supply depot.The other attack, in Nowshera, took place in a military high-security zone, close to an armed forces supply depot.
The north-west has become a focal point in the fight against the TalibanThe north-west has become a focal point in the fight against the Taliban
Almost exactly as the bomber killed Sarfraz Naeemi in Lahore, a van drove up to the gate of a mosque compound during Friday prayers before the driver detonated the explosives. At almost exactly the same time as the bomber killed Sarfraz Naeemi in Lahore, a van drove up to the gate of a mosque compound during Friday prayers before the driver detonated the explosives.
The blast was so powerful that the roof of the mosque collapsed, with many people now feared to be buried under the debris.The blast was so powerful that the roof of the mosque collapsed, with many people now feared to be buried under the debris.
Reports say several dozen worshippers, including members of the armed forces, have been injured. However, so far there are no confirmed figures of deaths. Reports say several dozen worshippers, including members of the armed forces, have been injured. However, there is no confirmed death toll.
The BBC's Shoiab Hasan, in Islamabad, says both attacks expose the inability of Pakistan's security forces to stop such retaliation attacks from taking place. The BBC's Shoaib Hasan, in Islamabad, says the attacks expose the inability of Pakistan's security forces to halt Taliban retaliation for the offensive against them.
As the army's operations continue in Pakistan's north-west it is expected that such incidents may become more frequent.As the army's operations continue in Pakistan's north-west it is expected that such incidents may become more frequent.
Nowshera is close to Peshawar, the capital of North West Frontier Province, which has itself recently been struck by bomb blasts.Nowshera is close to Peshawar, the capital of North West Frontier Province, which has itself recently been struck by bomb blasts.
The deadliest attack, on the city's luxurious Pearl Continental hotel, killed at least 18 people on Tuesday.The deadliest attack, on the city's luxurious Pearl Continental hotel, killed at least 18 people on Tuesday.
Are you in Lahore or Nowshera? Have you witnessed the explosions? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you in Lahore or Nowshera? Have you witnessed the explosions? Send us your comments using the form below.
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