Though officials have been quick to point the finger at the Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for today’s bombing of the Mina Bazaar in Peshawar, the deadliest bombing in the nation in years, the group has reportedly condemned the blast in an email denying any role in it.
Al-Qaeda, the other usual suspect for attacks in northern Pakistan, was also quick to deny having anything to do with the strike, insisting that they don’t under any circumstances attack bazaars or mosques.
The Mina Bazaar is famous for selling women’s clothing, jewelry, and toys for children, and so it was unsurprising that the attack killed mostly women and children, sparking outrage across Pakistan.
The leadership of both groups would likely have steered clear of such an attack simply because of its affect on popular opinion, but the TTP in particular is made up of such a hodge-podge of loosely affiliated groups that it would be tough for its leadership to say with any certainty that none of its auxiliary groups had anything to do with the high profile attack.
Qui bono? I have long been suspicious of such attacks on Muslim civilians. Seems to me those who benefit are those who 1) would like to discredit and weaken Islamic militant groups or 2) have a vested interest in continuing turmoil and instability so as to encourage or justify continued US intervention.
A couple years ago, the Iraqis near Basra arrested several Brits driving around wearing Arab disguises in a car filled with arms and exposives.
Not saying that's the kind of thing going on here, but anything is possible and we should have learned by now not to trust what is reported in the "media".
It appears this terror attack is just part of the ongoing plan to balkanize Pakistan. The CIA, RAW and the Mossad have been busy.