Pakistan Blasts: At Least 30 Dead In Attacks

[muriel_volestrangler]

Source: Sky News

More than 30 people have died in an explosion at a political rally in northeast Pakistan, while suspected militants have attacked the US consulate in the city of Peshawar.

Witnesses reported several large blasts and extensive gunfire in Peshawar, and a US embassy spokesperson in Islamabad confirmed that the consulate had been targeted.

The explosions came hours after an attack in the town of Timergarah killed 38 people attending a political rally.

Zahid Khan of the Awami National Party said members were celebrating the recent decision to change the name of North West Frontier Province to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

Read more: http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Pakistan-Blast-At-Least-16-Dead-In-Blast-At-Pakistan-Rally/Article/201004115594440?lpos=World_News_Top_Stories_Header_1&lid=ARTICLE_15594440_Pakistan_Blast%3A_At_Least_16_Dead_In_Blast_At_Pakistan_Rally_

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See also:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/8603184.stm
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6330EV20100405?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews

[Soylent Brice]

1. K&R

[bemildred]

2. US consulate attacked in northwest Pakistan

PESHAWAR, Pakistan — Islamist militants unleashed a car bomb and grenade attack against a U.S. consulate in northwestern Pakistan on Monday, killing four people and striking back after months of American missile strikes against Taliban and al-Qaida fighters in the region.

Hours earlier, a suicide bomber killed 45 people and wounded more than 70 at a rally by a secular political party in the northwest that has supported recent Pakistani army offensives in the region close to Afghanistan, where the United States is battling a related insurgency.

The attacks follow a lull in violence since the beginning of the year, illustrating the militants' resilience.

The multi-pronged strike against the consulate in Peshawar city was the first direct assault on a U.S. mission in the country since 2006. Officials said the four attackers in two vehicles hoped to breach the heavily fortified compound and kill people inside, but they failed to do that and caused only minor damage.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hkiMxbHNH0BqgpWA2ZG6VD6wVTmAD9ET1GU00