Pakistan: Suicide Bombing at Mosque in Northwest Pakistan Kills 50

21 December 2007 -- Pakistani officials say at least 50 people have been killed in a suicide bombing at a mosque in the restive northwest, during prayers for the Muslim Eid al-Adha festival.

Officials say dozens more were wounded in the blast that took place Friday at the mosque inside the residential compound of former interior minister, Aftab Sherpao, in Charsadda - a district in North West Frontier Province.

Local police say the attacker blew himself up in a row of worshippers behind Sherpao and his son. A spokesman said both father and son escaped unhurt.

It was the second attempt on the life of Sherpao, who is an ally of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, and is contesting for a parliamenatry seat in next month's general election. He was wounded in a suicide attack on his party's gathering in Charsadda eight months ago.

There has been a surge in violence in northwestern Pakistan since security forces ousted armed pro-Taliban militants from the radical Red Mosque in Islamabad in July.

Pakistani soldiers in the past weeks drove out militants from small towns in Swat Valley - a popular resort in the northwest. The army said some 300 militants were killed during the operation.

Source: VOA News

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