Pakistan car bomb hits market killing 20

A suspected Taliban car bomb exploded outside a crowded market in Pakistan today killing at least 20 people in the latest attack aimed at avenging an army offensive along the Afghan border.

The bombing 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 25 miles 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.

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.

Yesterday 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.

Pakistan’s army has sent 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.