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10 killed as Pakistan politician targeted

Other News Materials 25 August 2008 15:44 (UTC +04:00)

Militants attacked the home of a lawmaker in Pakistan's violence-plagued northwest Monday, killing 10 people in the latest unrest to hit the country since the resignation of President Pervez Musharraf, authorities said.

The politician survived the attack but his brother died, said military spokesman Col. Baseer Haider. The Islamic movement, the Taliban, claimed responsibility, reported CNN.

Militants used rockets and grenades to launch their attack at the home in the village of Shah Dheri in the Swat valley, a tourist area where security has continued to deteriorate despite a three-month-old peace pact.

The home belongs to Waqar Ahmed Khan, a member of the Awami National Party and a member of the provincial assembly of the North West Frontier Province, where the Swat valley is located.

The valley, a rugged area near the Afghanistan border where the central government has long exerted little control, has been the site of an intense military offensive since late July.

The Taliban has carried out a series of deadly bombings in recent days as retaliation for the military operations -- and said the attacks will continue until the troops pull out.

Violence has surged in Paksitan following Musharraf's resignation last week to avoid possible impeachment. His exit has left a power vacuum in the country, reviving factional disputes in the multi-party government ahead of September 6 elections.

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