Powerful car bomb kills at least 12 in PakistanFebruary 23, 2012 - 12:19 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A powerful car bomb ripped through an outdoor minibus terminal in northwestern Pakistan on Thursday, Feb 23, killing at least 12 people and wounding 32 others, including women and children, officials said. The Associated Press reports that the blast tore through many of the vehicles waiting to transport passengers from the city of Peshawar to other areas of the country. Some of the minibuses were blackened and completely destroyed. Peshawar is located near the border with Pakistan's tribal region, the main sanctuary for Pakistani Taliban fighters at war with the government, and has been a frequent target of the militants. Violence has dropped off significantly in the city and other areas of Pakistan over the past year following army offensives against the Pakistani Taliban in the northwest. But attacks still occur almost daily. Rescue workers transported to a local hospital the wounded as well as the bodies of at least 12 people killed, including one child, said Jameel Shah, a hospital official in Peshawar. The wounded also included women and children, said police officer Afzal Khan. The car bomb was loaded with nearly 100 pounds (45 kilograms) of explosives, said city police chief Siraj Ahmed. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |