Pakistan, Afghanistan attacks kill more than 100
Updated
A huge car bomb ripped through a busy market in Peshawar, killing at least 90 people and injuring more than 200 others, most of them women and children. It was the deadliest attack in Pakistan this year, as the Taliban vows to retaliate against a military offensive against them in South Waziristan. Across the border in Afghanistan, security forces are on alert, after attacks on foreigners at a guesthouse and a luxury hotel in Kabul.
The latest violence came as the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited the region, promising American support for the fight against terrorism.
Presenter: Sally Sara, South Asia correspondent
Speakers:Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State; Zemarai Bashary, spokesman for the Afghan Interior Ministry; Kai Eide, UN Special Representative in Afghanistan
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HILLARY CLINTON: These extremists are committed to destroying that which is dear to us, as much as they are committed to destroying that which is dear to you and to all people.
SALLY SARA: The narrow shopping street in Peshawar's old city collapsed into what looked like a canyon. Shopfronts were turned to rubble by the car bomb blast, leaving dozens of people buried. Within minutes many buildings were on fire.
Several shopkeepers stood with their arms raised in the air, unable to rescue some of those trapped by the flames and debris.
Peshawar has been the site of some of Pakistan's most deadly terrorist attacks this year. In the past few weeks it has been hit every few days. But even by Peshawar's standards this was a devastating blast.
It hit part of the market lined with toy, jewellery and women's clothing stores. Most of the victims were women and children.
The latest attack came as the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was visiting the capital Islamabad, promising help in the fight against terrorism.
HILLARY CLINTON: These extremists are committed to destroying that which is dear to us, as much as they are committed to destroying that which is dear to you and to all people.
SALLY SARA: Across the border in Afghanistan there was more violence. Six foreigners working for the UN were killed when heavily armed terrorists stormed a guest house in the capital Kabul.
A short time later rockets were fired at the luxury Serena hotel. More than 100 guests, including foreign journalists and diplomats, took cover in the basement of the heavily fortified complex.
Spokesman for the Interior Ministry Zemarai Bashary says the Afghan Government will upgrade security for foreigners.
ZEMARAI BASHARY: We are trying to strengthen the (inaudible) and stop such attackers from infiltrating into the inner part of the circle.
SALLY SARA: The Taliban have promised there will be more attacks in the lead up to next week's runoff Presidential election. The militants have warned they will cut off the fingers of those who dare to cast their ballot.
And foreigners remain firmly in the firing line for large scale attacks. The United Nations is now increasing the travel restrictions and security for its foreign staff, including many election monitors who are scheduled to visit polling stations out in the field.
The UN Special Representative in Afghanistan Kai Eide says staff need a chance to mourn their colleagues.
KAI EIDE: And now I do ask all of you to give us some time and some space to grieve and to reflect on this tragic incident.
SALLY SARA: There are now only nine days to go until Afghanistan's runoff election. Security forces are on high alert. But many Afghans are bracing themselves for further violence.
