Pakistani authorities say a suicide bomber has rammed his
explosives-laden car into a military convoy at a security checkpoint in
northwest Pakistan, killing 25 soldiers and police and two passers-by.
The
authorities say another 62 security personnel and three civilians were
wounded in the attack Saturday near the town of Hangu in North West
Frontier Province.
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the
attack, saying it was retaliation for U.S. drone attacks. Taliban
commander Hakeemullah Mehsud said militants will continue suicide
attacks if the drone strikes do not stop.
Both Pakistani
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani issued
statements condemning the attack. Mr. Zardari vowed to root out
terrorism and extremism from the country.
Northwest Pakistan
has experienced a surge of militant attacks by Taliban fighters and
other Islamic groups. Attacks also have been carried out in other
parts of Pakistan, including the capital, Islamabad, and the commercial
center, Karachi.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.
