A car bomb that went off in a market in Peshawar, Pakistan on Wednesday killed at least 90 people, mostly women and children. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton was in the country at the time to offer support to Islamabad’s ongoing campaign against Islamic militants.
Besides those who were killed, more than 200 others were injured in the blast, which has so far been the deadliest attack by suspected insurgents this month. Officials blame militants out for revenge against an army offensive that was recently launched against the Taliban and al-Qaida stronghold near the Afghan border.
The car bomb destroyed part of Peshawar’s Mina Bazaar, a market made of narrow alleys selling toys, clothing, and jewelry often frequented by women and children. As a result of the bombing, many buildings collapsed, including a mosque, which set many of the small shops on fire.
Those who were injured in the explosion had to wait for rescue among burning wreckage and dead bodies as men struggled to find a way through the debris.
Despite the violence, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood asserts that his people will not back down in their fight against the militants.
This attack is one of three bombs that have exploded in Peshawar this month. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the bombing.
