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Pakistan suicide blast 'kills 50' Pakistan suicide blast 'kills 50'
(about 3 hours later)
At least 50 people have been killed in a suicide attack on a mosque in north-western Pakistan, police say.At least 50 people have been killed in a suicide attack on a mosque in north-western Pakistan, police say.
The explosion tore through the mosque, near the city of Peshawar, as about 1,000 people offered prayers for the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha.The explosion tore through the mosque, near the city of Peshawar, as about 1,000 people offered prayers for the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha.
Aftab Sherpao, Interior Minister in the outgoing government, was in the congregation but was unhurt. His son was among about 100 people injured. Aftab Sherpao, interior minister in the outgoing government, was in the congregation but was unhurt. His son was among about 100 people injured.
The violence comes as Pakistan prepares for a general election next month.The violence comes as Pakistan prepares for a general election next month.
President Pervez Musharraf lifted a state of emergency on Saturday, saying the threat from Islamic militants had been contained.President Pervez Musharraf lifted a state of emergency on Saturday, saying the threat from Islamic militants had been contained.
We were saying prayers when this huge explosion occurred. It almost blew out our ear drums Shaukat Ali, eyewitness In pictures: Mosque attackWe were saying prayers when this huge explosion occurred. It almost blew out our ear drums Shaukat Ali, eyewitness In pictures: Mosque attack
But in the past week there have been several suicide attacks.But in the past week there have been several suicide attacks.
US defence secretary Robert Gates said in the wake of the latest bombing that al-Qaeda had begun to focus on attacking the Pakistani government.
Officials said Friday's attacker had taken a place among the congregation, in the second row behind Mr Sherpao, at the mosque inside his own residential compound.Officials said Friday's attacker had taken a place among the congregation, in the second row behind Mr Sherpao, at the mosque inside his own residential compound.
"Naturally, Aftab Sherpao was the target," the politician's spokesman Salim Shah told the AFP news agency."Naturally, Aftab Sherpao was the target," the politician's spokesman Salim Shah told the AFP news agency.
Witnesses said the dead included some of his police bodyguards. He later visited some of the wounded in hospital.Witnesses said the dead included some of his police bodyguards. He later visited some of the wounded in hospital.
It was the second apparent attack on Mr Sherpao - a close ally of President Musharraf - in eight months.It was the second apparent attack on Mr Sherpao - a close ally of President Musharraf - in eight months.
Profile: Aftab SherpaoProfile: Aftab Sherpao
As interior minister in the government recently dissolved by the president ahead of elections, Mr Sherpao was the country's top security official and led the government's campaign against Islamic militants.As interior minister in the government recently dissolved by the president ahead of elections, Mr Sherpao was the country's top security official and led the government's campaign against Islamic militants.
He is running again as a candidate for parliament in the election on 8 January.He is running again as a candidate for parliament in the election on 8 January.
President Musharraf issued a statement condemning the "distorted thinking" of the militants behind the "abhorrent act".President Musharraf issued a statement condemning the "distorted thinking" of the militants behind the "abhorrent act".
Dozens of security officials later raided an Islamic school in a nearby village and arrested seven students, Associated Press reported, although officials would not say if the raid was connected to the bombing.Dozens of security officials later raided an Islamic school in a nearby village and arrested seven students, Associated Press reported, although officials would not say if the raid was connected to the bombing.
Children's bodiesChildren's bodies
Police said the mosque bomb contained 6-8kg (13-17lb) of explosives and was filled with nails and ball bearings.Police said the mosque bomb contained 6-8kg (13-17lb) of explosives and was filled with nails and ball bearings.
Witnesses described a scene of carnage inside the mosque, in the Charsadda district near Peshawar.Witnesses described a scene of carnage inside the mosque, in the Charsadda district near Peshawar.
"We were saying prayers when this huge explosion occurred. It almost blew out our ear drums," said 26-year-old Shaukat Ali."We were saying prayers when this huge explosion occurred. It almost blew out our ear drums," said 26-year-old Shaukat Ali.
"I lost my two brothers," said a weeping Jehangir Khan, who said he had helped retrieve the bodies of six children."I lost my two brothers," said a weeping Jehangir Khan, who said he had helped retrieve the bodies of six children.
Hamid Nawaz, the current interior minister, denied there was a security lapse. "Such an incident can happen at such a gathering," he told local television.Hamid Nawaz, the current interior minister, denied there was a security lapse. "Such an incident can happen at such a gathering," he told local television.
Correspondents say that it is unusual for militants to carry out attacks during Eid.Correspondents say that it is unusual for militants to carry out attacks during Eid.
The BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says there has been a wave of suicide bombings in the past six months, most in the north-west of the country and most aimed at army and government targets.The BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says there has been a wave of suicide bombings in the past six months, most in the north-west of the country and most aimed at army and government targets.
More than 600 people have been killed, including around 200 soldiers.
The attacks are blamed on pro-Taleban militants retaliating for military operations against them in the border areas near Afghanistan.The attacks are blamed on pro-Taleban militants retaliating for military operations against them in the border areas near Afghanistan.
There has been a surge of violence in north-western Pakistan since troops ousted armed militants from the radical Red Mosque in Islamabad in July. More than 600 people have been killed, including around 200 soldiers, in violence sparked by the ousting of armed militants from the radical Red Mosque in Islamabad in July.
Troops have driven the militants from a series of small towns and villages where they had tried to implement strict Islamic law. In his comments, Mr Gates said al-Qaeda had "re-established itself" in the border areas.
The army says it has killed nearly 300 pro-Taleban militants in the restive Swat region in North West Frontier Province. "Al-Qaeda seems to have turned its face toward Pakistan and attacks on the Pakistani government and Pakistani people," he said.