Suicide Attack Kills at Least 20 in Karachi
A suicide bomber struck a procession of Shiite Muslims in Karachi, Pakistan, on Monday as they commemorated the day of Ashura, a traditional day of mourning and remembrance of the Prophet Muhammad's martyred grandson. According to the Los Angeles Times, 20 people were killed and dozens wounded in the blast -- the third attack in three days in Pakistan.
A suicide bomber struck a procession of Shiite Muslims in Karachi, Pakistan, on Monday as they commemorated the day of Ashura, a traditional day of mourning and remembrance of the Prophet Muhammad’s martyred grandson. According to the Los Angeles Times, 20 people were killed and dozens wounded in the blast — the third attack in three days in Pakistan. –KA
Los Angeles Times:
The blast hit as the government finds itself under pressure on multiple fronts. The United States is pushing Islamabad to do more to root out Islamic extremism along the nation’s mountainous border with Afghanistan and beyond.
The unpopular administration of President Asif Ali Zardari is also under growing political pressure from rivals who accuse it of corruption. As well, the public is increasingly weary after several months of bombings by Taliban militants in retaliation for a government offensive against their strongholds.
The Associated Press posted this raw video footage of the attack on Monday:
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For three generations, the Pakistani political dynasty has promised to improve living conditions, but residents of the Bhuttos' ancestral village still struggle in poverty.
Gen. Pervez Musharraf, the former president who was hounded out of the country after nine years atop a military government, has said he will return to Pakistan to participate in elections. (more)
In his latest, scathingly critical essay for Vanity Fair, Christopher Hitchens makes it eminently clear that he isn't buying any of the stories the US and Pakistani governments are selling about their increasingly complicated (and, in Hitchens' view, hypocritical) relationship (more).
The news of Osama bin Laden's death came at a time of strain between the U.S. and Pakistan. So how might this huge development affect future relations?
As he announced the death of Osama bin Laden on Sunday night, President Barack Obama gave a nod to nationalism, remarking that "today's achievement is a testament to the greatness of our country and the determination of the American people." Packaging aside, what apparently happened is that the elusive al-Qaida leader was killed by U.S. forces, who "took custody of his body," according to Obama.
As he announced the death of Osama bin Laden on Sunday night, President Barack Obama gave a nod to nationalism.
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