“The attacks showed the wide reach of militant attacks in the Pakistani heartland, far from the troubled and lawless border region with Afghanistan.” Now, how is it that they’re able to have such a wide reach? Could it be because their ideology resonates with that of large numbers of Pakistanis, so that their activities are broadly tolerated? Naah, that couldn’t be it…
“Twin Attacks in Eastern Pakistan Kill Dozens,” by Waqar Gillani in the New York Times, December 9 (thanks to James):
LAHORE, Pakistan — Continuing a string of attacks against civilians and government offices, militants set off two bombs in one of the busiest markets of this eastern Pakistani city, killing at least 54 people and wounding at least 150 others, Pakistani authorities said on Tuesday.
A second attack targeted the offices of the Inter-Services Intelligence directorate, Pakistan’s main security service, in the central city of Multan on Tuesday morning. At least 9 people were killed and 40 injured, rescue authorities said. The attacks showed the wide reach of militant attacks in the Pakistani heartland, far from the troubled and lawless border region with Afghanistan.
Authorities in Multan said militants in a car tried to attack the intelligence agency offices with automatic rifle fire and hand grenades lobbed at a guard post. But when forces from the security agency returned fire, the militants blew up the car. Many buildings were damaged….
The attack in Lahore was the third on Monday. In Peshawar, 11 people died when militants struck near a courthouse. Four others were killed in an attack in Quetta.