Bomb Blasts in Peshawar as Hillary Clinton Visits Pakistan

Pakistan's battle with extremism continued today as a car bomb exploded in the Peepal Mandi market in the northwestern city of Peshawar, killing over 90 and coinciding with the visit of U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to the region.

Mrs. Clinton expressed solidarity with Pakistan against the terrorists, and promised to 'strengthen democracy' and make new investments to support the fight against the Pakistani Taliban. A blast earlier this month in Peshawar had killed over 50 people. Explosives and weapons are easily available in the region, many remnants from the two-plus decade long conflicts that have plagued the region, ever since the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

These demons of their own design, as it were, have metastasized beyond recognition. The government faces internal challenges as well as seasoned adversaries in its current efforts to contain the crisis. The recent attack in Iran, allegedly by Pakistan-based Jundullah may further widen the threat zone. The Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh called on Pakistan to contain terror groups operating within its borders, and the Indian government recently cautioned citizens against traveling to Pakistan, citing the unstable condition.

The first anniversary of the terrorist siege of Mumbai draws near, that day of infamy, and a grim reminder of the extent to which terror groups can go.