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Pakistan suicide blast 'kills 38' Pakistan suicide blast 'kills 38'
(20 minutes later)
At least 38 people have been killed in a suicide attack on a mosque in north-western Pakistan, police say.At least 38 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.
Among the worshippers was Aftab Sherpao, interior minister in the outgoing government. He survived the attack but said his son was injured.Among the worshippers was Aftab Sherpao, interior minister in the outgoing government. He survived the attack but said his son was 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, eyewitnessWe were saying prayers when this huge explosion occurred. It almost blew out our ear drums Shaukat Ali, eyewitness
But in the past week there have been several suicide attacks.But in the past week there have been several suicide attacks.
A senior police official said Friday's attacker had taken a place among the congregation, in the second row behind Mr Sherpao.A senior police official said Friday's attacker had taken a place among the congregation, in the second row behind Mr Sherpao.
"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 police officers guarding Mr Sherpao.
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.
It was the second attack on Mr Sherpao in eight monthsIt was the second attack on Mr Sherpao in eight months
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.
Witnesses described a scene of carnage inside the mosque, in the Charsadda district near Peshawar, after Friday's blast. Dozens of wounded people were taken to local hospitals.Witnesses described a scene of carnage inside the mosque, in the Charsadda district near Peshawar, after Friday's blast. Dozens of wounded people were taken to local hospitals.
"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.
The death toll formally stood at 38, but local officials said it might be as high as 50. The death toll formally stood at 38, but local officials said it might be as high as 50, with a further 100 people wounded.
Surge of violenceSurge of violence
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.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.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.
Troops have driven the militants from a series of small towns and villages where they had tried to implement strict Islamic law.Troops have driven the militants from a series of small towns and villages where they had tried to implement strict Islamic law.
The army says it has killed nearly 300 pro-Taleban militants in the restive Swat region in North West Frontier Province.The army says it has killed nearly 300 pro-Taleban militants in the restive Swat region in North West Frontier Province.
The fighting in Swat is the first serious insurgent threat from pro-Taleban forces in what is considered a settled area of Pakistan.The fighting in Swat is the first serious insurgent threat from pro-Taleban forces in what is considered a settled area of Pakistan.

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