Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Pakistan Latest al-Qaeda Target

Massive suicide bombs ripped through a seven-story police headquarters and a house in Lahore on Tuesday, killing at least 20 people and wounding more than 150, deepening Pakistan's security crisis as a wave of Islamic militancy sweeps the country. The blasts come amid a spate of violence that authorities are blaming on Taliban and al-Qaeda-linked militants, spreading beyond their strongholds along the Afghan border, and as the victors of last month's elections prepare to form a new government. The party of Nawaz Sharif, which is set to be the junior partner in the incoming coalition, blamed military operations ordered by U.S.-backed President Pervez Musharraf for destabilizing the country and called for him to resign.

  • JJ Commentary: Osama and al-Qaeda have hidden and re-energized on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, and are now re-asserting themselves in both countries. Pakistan has been the key U.S. “partner” in the region. Loss of this ally will make it nigh impossible to continue our efforts in Afghanistan.

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