Scores die as blast destroys Pakistan market
Scores of people die after powerful car bomb rips through busy market in northern Pakistani city of Peshawar
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By Matt Hallam. |  |
Wednesday, 28, Oct 2009 11:37
By Matthew Champion.
Scores of people have died after a powerful car bomb ripped through a busy market in the northern Pakistani city of Peshawar.
Hospital sources said at least 91 people were killed in the suicide attack, which came just hours after US secretary of state Hillary Clinton arrived in the capital Islamabad.
More than 100 people were injured in the attack in the Peepal Mandi area, which mostly sells products for women.
Eyewitnesses, who said bystanders were searching through the rubble for survivors, revealed most of the victims were probably women and children.
Pakistan's army is currently engaged in a major offensive against Taliban and al-Qaida-linked militants in the North West Frontier Province, of which Peshawar is the capital.
Eyewitnesses told local TV stations a car drove into a narrow, crowded market place before detonating the explosives. Rescue workers have warned the death-toll could rise sharply as more bodies are recovered from the wreckage.
Mrs Clinton is in Pakistan for talks to improve US-Pakistani relations. Islamabad is just several hours drive from Peshawar.
Speaking alongside her Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi, she said the country was embroiled in a battle with "brutal and extremist groups".
Full story: Clinton tells Pakistan 'this is our struggle'.
"We commit to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Pakistani people in your fight for peace and security, we will give you the help that you need in order to achieve your goal," she said.
"Today we had more vicious and brutal attacks that killed more innocent people. The terrorists and extremists are very good at destroying but they cannot build. That is where we have an advantage."