Suicide bomber in Pakistan kills 30 as fighting in South Waziristan continues

In Pakistan today, a suicide car bomber struck a crowded shopping area, killing an estimated 30 people, including seven children and three women. The attack took place in the northwest town of Charsadda, about 20 miles outside of Peshawar. About 100 were injured, according to government officials.

The street was home to many fruit and juice shops, but the blast tore apart market stalls and blew up vendor's pushcarts.

Rasheed Jan Khan is a shopkeeper in Charsadda. He spoke to FSRN, and was clearly still in shock after witnessing the attack. Today's attack killed his cousin.

“I was in my shop and I saw a Suzuki (vehicle) coming slowly towards people. The next minute, I heard a huge explosion and could not see anything because there was dust and smoke all around. Then, I saw flesh and bones and blood all around me. I did not know what is happening. My mind stopped working and It is still not working properly because I do not know where I am.”

Police said all who died were civilians. Today's attack follows two others; Three died yesterday in Peshawar after a suicide bomber in a rickshaw detonated his weapon. On Sunday, a suicide bomber in A market on the outskirts of Peshawar killed 12, including a mayor who had spoken out against the Taliban. And last month, militants also targeted a crowded, civilian area - killing more than 100 people in a suicide car blast at a Peshawar market. Government officials warn the attacks will likely continue. Mian Iftikhar is an information minister for Northwest Frontier Province.

“These suicide attacks are in retaliation for the Waziristan operation. We expect more similar attacks in future too because it is a guerilla war with an enemy who has been raised in our own society. It would be easy to fight with neighboring countries but it's difficult to fight with people living in our own society. But I believe that the enemy is now weak, therefore they attack civilians because they can not reach their main targets.”

The Pakistani military started a new offensive mid-October in South Waziristan against militants known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. Their attacks have steadily increased since August, after the United States killed their leader Baitullah Mehsud in a drone attack.