The Wall Street Journal-20080205-Politics - Economics- Terrorists Put Focus On Pakistan-s Military

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Politics & Economics: Terrorists Put Focus On Pakistan's Military

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ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- A suicide bombing aimed at an army bus in Rawalpindi, which killed at least eight people, was the latest in the wave of terrorist attacks targeting Pakistan's military.

The blast, coming two weeks before Pakistan is scheduled to hold national elections, also showed how susceptible the country remains to attack despite government efforts to stamp out Islamist militancy. The attacker rammed an explosive-laden motorbike into a military bus during the morning rush hour near the heavily guarded army headquarters. The blast left the bus a charred wreck.

A military spokesman said five army personnel were among the dead; the others were civilians. At least 38 others, mostly army personnel, were wounded, many of them seriously.

This was the first terrorist attack in the garrison town since former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was killed in Rawalpindi Dec. 27. During the past six months, dozens of military personnel have been killed in suicide bombings in the town, which is about eight miles from the capital, Islamabad, and is home to President Pervez Musharraf.

The increasing number of attacks in the high-security zone has shaken Pakistan's security agencies.

The military became a primary target after Pakistani security forces extended their operations against militants in the North West Frontier Province bordering Afghanistan.

Pakistani security agencies blame Baitullah Mehsud, a pro-al Qaeda Taliban commander, for masterminding the Rawalpindi attacks. The 34- year-old militant leader is spearheading the fighting against Pakistani forces in the South Waziristan region. Mr. Mehsud also has been blamed by the government for organizing the attack on Ms. Bhutto.

Violence has escalated in Pakistan in the run-up to the parliamentary elections scheduled for Feb. 18. Suicide bombings this year have killed dozens and raised fears of more violence. Security officials say militants want to disrupt the elections, which are designed to install a new prime minister and usher in an era of democracy.