Terrorist bombings

Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq have seen a marked increase in the number of terrorist bombings on government and civilian targets. In October 2009 there were more than 19 separate attacks in the three countries, with more than 500 casualties. 

In Kabul, AFGHANISTAN, bombs blew up at the Embassy of India and at a UN staff hostel. The luxury Serena Hotel was attacked, but the rocket failed and caused no damage; in January 2008 this hotel, with a largely international clientele, was damaged in a bomb attack.

In IRAQ a series of seven attacks using multiple bombs, IEDs and suicide bombers killed more than 189 in Haditha, Falluja, Mosul and Ramadi. Most of the dead were women and children at a street market in Baghdad.

In PAKISTAN a series of nine attacks using multiple bombs killed more than 300 civilians. Attacks occurred at the UN offices, a university in Islamabad, a street crossing, a crowded market in Peshawar and an Army HQ building in Rawalpindi. There were several separate gun battles in Lahore as well as roadside attacks on cars and convoys in Ghalnal and the Swat Valley.

The Taliban is blamed for most of these bombs, as they have mounted a campaign to disrupt the election process in Afghanistan and Iraq. In Pakistan the bombing attacks were in reaction to the increased warfare in the north, including the Swat Valley region, by the Pakistan army against the Taliban forces.