Toll Hits 70 in Pakistan Bombings

The death toll in yesterday's twin suicide blasts in Pakistan has risen to 70 people as the tragedy continues to rattle the civilian government just days after the ouster of President Pervez Musharraf, the New York Times reports. Pakistan's Taliban has claimed responsibility for the bombings at the gates of the country's main weapons complex, and warned of more to come if the government fails to cease operations against militants in the country's tribal areas.

The weapons complex 20 miles north of the capital—previously thought impregnable—was a highly symbolic target, observes a Pakistani general. The attack has dashed hopes that Musharraf's resignation would signal an end to the country's turmoil.
(More suicide bomber stories.)