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Many dead in Peshawar explosion Car bomb kills scores in Peshawar
(40 minutes later)
At least 80 people have been killed and scores hurt by a large car bomb in a market in Peshawar, Pakistan.At least 80 people have been killed and scores hurt by a large car bomb in a market in Peshawar, Pakistan.
Buildings were set on fire after the blast and plumes of smoke were seen drifting over the north-western city. It was one of the deadliest attacks in the country this year, sending plumes of smoke across the north-western city.
Similar attacks have killed more than 200 people in recent weeks, as the army carries out an operation against Taliban militants in South Waziristan.Similar attacks have killed more than 200 people in recent weeks, as the army carries out an operation against Taliban militants in South Waziristan.
The blast comes as US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton begins a visit to the Pakistani capital, Islamabad. The blast came as US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton began a visit to the Pakistani capital, Islamabad.
Pakistani television showed footage of burning shops in the Peepal Mandi area of Peshawar and crowds digging through rubble to rescue people.Pakistani television showed footage of burning shops in the Peepal Mandi area of Peshawar and crowds digging through rubble to rescue people.
It was a huge bomb blast, heard in almost all the city Anwar Shah, police official
The market mostly sells products for women, and most of the dead were reported to be women.The market mostly sells products for women, and most of the dead were reported to be women.
"There was a huge blast. There was smoke and dust everywhere. I saw people dying and screaming on the road," eyewitness Mohammad Siddique told the AFP news agency."There was a huge blast. There was smoke and dust everywhere. I saw people dying and screaming on the road," eyewitness Mohammad Siddique told the AFP news agency.
An official in the hospitals' emergency department told the BBC he was afraid that many people had died. Mian Iftikhar Hussain, information minister for the North West Frontier Province, told reporters 80 people had been killed and 200 wounded.
Hospital officials told the BBC the number of casualties could rise.
Burning buildingsBurning buildings
Zafar Iqbal at the city's Lady Reading hospital told AFP more than 150 people had been wounded. Doctors said a state of emergency had been declared at the hospital.Zafar Iqbal at the city's Lady Reading hospital told AFP more than 150 people had been wounded. Doctors said a state of emergency had been declared at the hospital.
He appealed for people in Peshawar to give blood.
ANALYSIS Kim Ghattas, IslamabadANALYSIS Kim Ghattas, Islamabad
The explosion in Peshawar comes as a violent reminder for Hillary Clinton - if any was needed - of the difficult task she and the Obama administration are facing in Pakistan.The explosion in Peshawar comes as a violent reminder for Hillary Clinton - if any was needed - of the difficult task she and the Obama administration are facing in Pakistan.
In the fight against al-Qaeda and the Taliban, Islamabad is a crucial ally and the secretary of state will press Pakistan to continue its offensive against the Taliban in south Waziristan.In the fight against al-Qaeda and the Taliban, Islamabad is a crucial ally and the secretary of state will press Pakistan to continue its offensive against the Taliban in south Waziristan.
She will have to choose her words carefully. Her visit comes amid a surge of anti-American feelings here. The attack will be seen by many as retaliation by the militants against the army's offensive.She will have to choose her words carefully. Her visit comes amid a surge of anti-American feelings here. The attack will be seen by many as retaliation by the militants against the army's offensive.
Police official Anwar Shah said the blast had been caused by a car bomb.Police official Anwar Shah said the blast had been caused by a car bomb.
"It was a huge bomb blast, heard in almost all the city," he said."It was a huge bomb blast, heard in almost all the city," he said.
Another witness, Aqueel ur Rehman, said bodies were lying under the debris.Another witness, Aqueel ur Rehman, said bodies were lying under the debris.
"Several buildings and a mosque have been badly damaged while a fire has engulfed a building," he told Reuters."Several buildings and a mosque have been badly damaged while a fire has engulfed a building," he told Reuters.
Bomb disposal official Shafqat Malik said rescue teams were trying to reach people still trapped under the debris.Bomb disposal official Shafqat Malik said rescue teams were trying to reach people still trapped under the debris.
Peshawar was the scene of the deadliest attack in Pakistan, when more than 50 people died in an explosion at an historic market.
The BBC's Mark Dummet in Islamabad says the latest attack is likely to be blamed on the Taliban, who have already carried out a string of bombings in Pakistani cities since the beginning of the month.The BBC's Mark Dummet in Islamabad says the latest attack is likely to be blamed on the Taliban, who have already carried out a string of bombings in Pakistani cities since the beginning of the month.
Security has been stepped up across the country but the government still appears to be unable to stop the attacks, says our correspondent.Security has been stepped up across the country but the government still appears to be unable to stop the attacks, says our correspondent.
City on the frontline Militants' audacious tactics href="/2/hi/south_asia/8329378.stm">In pictures: Peshawar attack class="" href="/2/hi/south_asia/8310839.stm">City on the frontline Militants' audacious tactics
Mrs Clinton is in Pakistan to discuss US concerns about the increasing numbers of militant attacks and the security of the country's nuclear weapons.Mrs Clinton is in Pakistan to discuss US concerns about the increasing numbers of militant attacks and the security of the country's nuclear weapons.
She has pledged extra US support in Pakistan's fight against the militant insurgency. At a news conference in Islamabad, she condemned the "vicious and brutal" attack in Peshawar and said the fight against the Taliban was "not Pakistan's alone".
Mrs Clinton pledged extra US support in Pakistan's fight against the militant insurgency.
"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.
Last week, Pakistan launched an offensive in South Waziristan, which considered to be the main sanctuary for Islamic militants outside Afghanistan.Last week, Pakistan launched an offensive in South Waziristan, which considered to be the main sanctuary for Islamic militants outside Afghanistan.
Correspondents say the Peshawar blasts will comes as a violent reminder for the US of the difficult task it is facing in the fight against the Taliban, both in Pakistan and across the border in Afghanistan.Correspondents say the Peshawar blasts will comes as a violent reminder for the US of the difficult task it is facing in the fight against the Taliban, both in Pakistan and across the border in Afghanistan.
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