Bomb kills 20, wounds 55 in northwest Pakistan

PESHAWAR, Pakistan -- A suspected car bomb exploded outside a crowded market in northwest Pakistan on Tuesday, killing 20 people in the latest attack by suspected militants apparently aimed at avenging an army offensive along the Afghan border.

The bombing, which was aimed at causing maximum civilian casualties, was the third blast in as many days in or close to Peshawar, the capital of the North West Frontier Province.

It took place in Charsadda, some 25 miles (40 kilometers) north of Peshawar, destroying scores of shops on both sides of the road and knocked down electrical wires. Officials suspected the bomb was planted in a car outside the market, said police officer Rokhan Zeb Khan.

Rashid Kaka said he was returning from the mosque to his shop in the market when the bomb exploded.

"It was deafening and there were clouds of dust all around. I could not see anything around me," said Kaka. "Later I saw many bodies lying scattered."

Officials said 20 people were killed and 55 others were wounded.

No one claimed responsibility, but authorities have blamed similar attacks in recent weeks on the Taliban.

The insurgents apparently hope the blasts will weaken the resolve of the army, which launched an offensive in mid-October against militants in South Waziristan, the main Taliban and al-Qaida sanctuary in Pakistan's tribal area along the Afghan border.

On Monday, a suicide bomber in a rickshaw detonated his explosives near a group of policemen in Peshawar, killing three people. A day before, a suicide bomber blew himself up in a market south of Peshawar, killing 12 people, including a mayor who once supported but had turned against the Taliban.

Less than two weeks ago, a car bomb killed 112 people in a market in Peshawar, the deadliest attack in Pakistan in more than two years.

The government has pledged to press ahead with the offensive despite the assaults. The U.S. supports the South Waziristan operation because Pakistan's tribal belt is home to many militants involved in attacks on Western troops across the border in Afghanistan.

Pakistan's army has pitted some 30,000 troops against up to 8,000 militants, including many Uzbeks and other foreign insurgents who have long taken refuge in the lawless tribal areas.

The soldiers have been battling militants in three key Taliban bases in South Waziristan over the past few days.

The latest fighting has killed nine militants, an army statement said Tuesday.

The information is nearly impossible to verify independently since Pakistan has blocked access to the battle zone.