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Pakistan looks to tighten security
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Security is tight in the northwest Pakistan city of Peshawar. This comes one day after a car bomb attack killed at least 106 people, while more than 150 others were wounded.
Wednesday's bomb was directed squarely at civilians. While no one is claiming responsibility, the bomb appeared to be aimed at undercutting public and political support for an ongoing army offensive against militants close to the frontier.
Some residents are skeptical about the government's offensive in South Waziristan, blaming it for the recent attacks and saying the entire country lives in fear.
Zahir Shah, Peshawar Resident, said, "The whole nation is scared. They want to stop the bomb blasts, because everybody is fearful, going to work or their business. There is no safety in hospitals, shops, homes, or schools."
The attack came as US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton began the first day of her visit to Pakistan to offer support for the fight against a strengthened al-Qaida and Taliban-led insurgency based along the Afghan border.
But some residents in Islamabad blame the US for the loss of life.
Mohammad Mehrbahn, Islamabad Shopkeeper, said, "Look, now Hillary is visiting and this blast has taken place. This is a black mark on our honor and it's all going on inside our country and we are not killing the enemies, Muslims are killing Muslims and I don't think it should happen."
Most security analysts say the attack could backfire on the insurgents, causing people to side against them.
The government says the bombing strengthens its resolve to press ahead with the assault in the South Waziristan border region, a militant stronghold and a global training and operations hub for al-Qaida.
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