Clashes in Pakistan leave dozens dead
· The incidents occurred in Khyber Agency in northwest Pakistan
· At least 22 people died in a suicide bombing; 33 died in a gunfight
· Militants have a strong presence in Khyber
Islamabad, Pakistan (CNN) -- A suicide bombing and a gunfight in Pakistan's tribal region Friday killed more than 50 people, government officials said.
The incidents occurred in the Khyber Agency, one of several districts of northwestern Pakistan's volatile tribal region bordering Afghanistan. Militants have a strong presence in Khyber and other regions along the Afghan-Pakistani border.
A suicide bomb at the entrance to a mosque in Nahqi killed at least 20 people, said Jamilur Rehman, a senior official of Khyber. The suicide bomber detonated his explosives at the end of Friday prayer, he said. There has been no claim of responsibility.
At least 22 people were injured, Rehman said.
Separately, fighting at a Khyber checkpoint left 10 security personnel and 23 militants dead, said Mutahir Zeb Khan, another government official.
Militants sparked a five-hour gun battle when they attacked the checkpoint, Khan said. Authorities believe the fighters were part of Lashkar-e-Islam, a militant group that operates in the region.
Friday turns bloody day in Pakistan
From Islamic point of view each and every Muslim whether male or female knows that Friday is the most sacred day in a week but one way or the other most of the time it is noticed that in my beloved Pakistan suicide bombers try to hit on the day either inside a mosque or near a mosque and blood of innocent people who go to offer weekly Friday prayers is drained out.
Just at 1717 hours my time and 1917 Pakistan time I have read that today someone took the advantage of Friday prayers in Tirah Valley which is a volatile area in any case and he detonated himself whereby 22 namazis have been killed and about 20 are reported to have been injured and the chances are that either a few may die or be crippled from among those who are injured. This is not the very 1st Friday that our worshippers are killed and it is really very much shameful that on most of the Fridays people lose their lives. To the best of my knowledge and belief those who attack are also Muslims which as such too much pricks because it is not all expected of any Muslim to attack and kill his Muslim brothers for no reason and rhyme and that too on Friday. Do these bombers plan during the remaining six days of the week as to how, when and where they are to pounce on innocent bare handed compatriots on the coming Friday? What do they get when invariably the bomber too died in the attack? How does the bomber who himself is killed knows if others are killed or not?
Are we proud to rename Friday as Bloody Day in my beloved country which is officially called as Islamic Republic of Pakistan?
Iqbal Hadi Zaidi / Kuwait
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