Jihadist/martyrdom bombers hit aeronautical complex, restaurant in Pakistan

by Robert Spencer

As the government attempts to show that it really is using U.S. money to fight against the jihadists. "Bombs Strike Northwest Pakistan as Taliban Attacks Escalate," by Khalid Qayum for Bloomberg, October 23 (thanks to all who sent this in):

Oct. 23 (Bloomberg) -- Two bombs struck northwestern Pakistan today as militants escalated near-daily attacks against security and civilian targets amid an army offensive in the nearby Taliban stronghold of South Waziristan. A suicide bomber killed seven people outside the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex in Kamra city around 7:30 a.m. as staff arrived for work, district police officer Fakhar Sultan told reporters. Two of those who died worked for the armed forces, while the rest were civilians. A second car bomb exploded near a restaurant in the nearby city of Peshawar five hours later, injuring eight people, the Edhi ambulance service said.
Pakistan's army a week ago began its biggest offensive against the Taliban and its allies in the northwestern tribal region of South Waziristan bordering Afghanistan, deploying 28,000 troops. They are seeking to destroy the faction that was led by Baitullah Mehsud until his death in a U.S. missile strike in August. Pakistan blames the group for 80 percent of terrorist attacks in the country. Mehsud's successor vowed to avenge his killing with suicide bombings.
Retaliation by militants who "think they are winning" in their offensive against the government was expected, said Zafar Nawaz Jaspal, assistant professor of International Relations at Islamabad's Quaid-e-Azam University. "Controlling South Waziristan won't end terrorist attacks completely but it will destroy their training camps and weaken" the militants, he said. The government and military are determined and "willing to pay the price," Jaspal said. [...]

And finally, some common sense in Washington:

In Washington, the U.S. Congress passed a defense spending bill that imposes restrictions on military assistance to Pakistan in a move to ensure the aid is spent fighting the Taliban. The conditions may trigger complaints in Pakistan and fan anti-U.S. sentiment. Refugee Concerns

Earlier this month, Pakistani opposition lawmakers and the military said conditions attached to a $7.5 billion civilian aid package signed by President Barack Obama undermined the nation's sovereignty. That legislation provides funds over five years to build roads, schools, power facilities and other projects serving civilians....

They think that building roads, schools, etc. will end the jihad. They will be surprised about that.