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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 10-Jul-2010
10-Jul-10 News -- Pakistan shocked again by terrorist attack

Web Log - July, 2010

10-Jul-10 News -- Pakistan shocked again by terrorist attack

The 'Ghazi Force' is thought responsible for earlier Lahore bombing.

Terrorist attack near Peshawar in Pakistan kills 65

Administrative map of Pakistan, with the addition of the FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas), highlighting Swat Valley <font face=Arial size=-2>(Source: pakistan.gov.pk)</font>

Administrative map of Pakistan, with the addition of the FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas), highlighting Swat Valley (Source: pakistan.gov.pk)

At least 65 people were killed and over 100 others injured when two explosions ripped through a crowded bazaar in Pakistan's FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Area) near Peshawar on Friday.

Tehrik-e-Taliban (TTP), the Pakistan Taliban group, has claimed responsibility for the attack, according to Pakistan's Daily Times.

This region had been the scene of fighting between the Taliban and the army last year, and the army had declared the region safe again. Friday's attack gives the Pakistan people more reason to believe that there's no safe place in Pakistan.

'Ghazi Force' blamed for July 1 Sufi Shrine attack in Lahore

It was nine days ago that a packed Sufi shrine in Lahore was attacked by suicide bombers, killing dozens. (See "2-Jul-10 News -- New terrorist attack in Lahore, Pakistan" and "3-Jul-10 News -- Lahore bombing leaves Pakistanis confused.")

Tehrik-e-Taliban (TTP), the Pakistan Taliban group, had disavowed any responsibility for this attack, and there was some amount of confusion over who was responsible.

The focus is now being turned on the terrorist group "Ghazi Force," a relatively new militant group.

The Ghazi Force is made up of surviving ex-students and teachers of the madrasas attached to the Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) in Islamabad which was raided by the army in July 2007, according to Eurasia Review.

I wrote a lengthy description of the Red Mosque attack shortly after it occurred in 2007. (See "Pakistan: Over 106 dead in spectacular assault on radical mosque in Islamabad.")

The Red Mosque attack was a major shock to Pakistan. For most Pakistanis, it signaled the weakening of President Pervez Musharraf, and the beginning of the end of his tenure.

But even more important was that it was a major shock to Islamist militants, including the Taliban and al-Qaeda, who began considering the government to be a clear enemy of their radical Islamist movements, according to a lengthy report by MEMRI.

In particular, the leading cleric for the Red Mosque was Ghazi Abdul Rashid who called for his own death to spark an Islamic revolution. He said that he would rather be martyred than give in to the government, and he was killed during the army action against the Red Mosque.

The death of Ghazi Abdul Rashid led to the creation of the "Ghazi Force" terrorist group.

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Turkey is another country facing growing terrorism, in this case from PKK Kurd terrorists. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's actions in threatening Israel after the flotilla incident were very popular, but he's losing in the polls because of PKK terrorism. Bloomberg

Yemen's war against al-Qaeda on the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) is heating up again. Time

What should you wear to work? Perhaps a pair of long navy blue shorts with a light purple silk blouse? Or maybe a colorful dropped-waist dress? There are web sites that will give you personal advice. NY Times

(Comments: For reader comments, questions and discussion, see the 10-Jul-10 News -- Pakistan shocked again by terrorist attack thread of the Generational Dynamics forum. Comments may be posted anonymously.) (10-Jul-2010) Permanent Link
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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 10-Jul-2010 10-Jul-10 News -- Pakistan shocked again by terrorist attack

Terrorist attack near Peshawar in Pakistan kills 65

'Ghazi Force' blamed for July 1 Sufi Shrine attack in Lahore

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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 10-Jul-2010
10-Jul-10 News -- Pakistan shocked again by terrorist attack