Unsolved case · 2008
The short answer
A double suicide bombing struck the Pakistan Ordnance Factories in Wah, Pakistan, on 21 August 2008, killing more than 100 people and wounding over 200 during a shift change, making it the deadliest attack on a military site in Pakistan's history.
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Suggest coverage for 2008 Wah bombingOn 21 August 2008, two suicide bombers detonated themselves at the gates of the Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) complex in Wah, Pakistan, as workers were changing shifts. The attack killed more than 100 people and wounded over 200, making it the deadliest attack on a military installation in Pakistan's history. The POF facility is the center of the country's defence industry, employing nearly 25,000 workers who produce explosives, weapons, and other conventional arms and ammunition.
The bombing occurred against a backdrop of escalating militant violence in northwest Pakistan that had been ongoing since July 2007, during which hundreds of militants and Pakistani security force members were killed. Violence had temporarily subsided after a new coalition government, formed following the February 2008 general election, opened talks with tribal leader Baitullah Mehsud. Those talks broke down in June 2008 when Mehsud suspended them, and violence resumed. The attack also came just three days after President Pervez Musharraf resigned on 18 August 2008, ending his nine years as head of state, amid an impeachment movement launched by major opposition parties.
Maulvi Omar, identified as a spokesman for the Pakistani Taliban (Tehrik-e-Taliban), said his group carried out the attack. He stated it was in response to Pakistani military operations against militants in the Bajaur region, which began on 6 August 2008 and had reportedly cost the lives of hundreds of civilians and displaced approximately 300,000 people. He warned that attacks would continue if the government persisted with operations in Bajaur, and characterized the Wah factory as a "killer factory where arms are being produced to kill our women and children."
A suspected third attacker, identified as Hamidullah, did not detonate and was subsequently arrested.
In response, Dr Fahmida Mirza, Speaker of Pakistan's National Assembly, and Deputy Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi issued a statement calling the bombing a barbaric act of terrorism reflecting the inhumane and callous nature of the perpetrators. They said a few misguided people were attempting to disrupt peace and derail the country's democratic process. The United Nations Security Council also met to officially condemn the attack.
Pakistani general election brings a new coalition government to power, which opens talks with tribal leader Baitullah Mehsud.
Baitullah Mehsud suspends talks with the government; violence resumes in the region.
Pakistani military operations against militants begin in the Bajaur region.
President Pervez Musharraf resigns, ending nine years as head of state.
Two suicide bombers detonate at the gates of the Pakistan Ordnance Factories in Wah during a shift change, killing more than 100 and wounding over 200.
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