Bomb blast at Pakistan refugee camp kills 12

Jalozai (AFP): A car bomb tore through a refugee camp in northwest Pakistan on Thursday, killing at least 12 people and wounding 30 others, in the latest in a wave of attacks ahead of general elections in May. The bomb went off at the Jalozai refugee camp close to the city of Peshawar, which is home to people fleeing unrest in tribal districts bordering Afghanistan that are a stronghold of Taliban and Al Qaeda-linked militants. Hussain giving initial toll earlier had said four people were killed and 18 others were wounded. Fuad Khan, police official responsible for security of the camp, said: "The bomb exploded in a car parked near the administration office where refugees had lined up to get ration and new arrivals were being registered." Jalozai, an enormous camp that once hosted Afghan refugees, now houses Pakistani tribesmen fleeing unrest in the Khyber, Bajaur and Mohmand tribal districts. Pakistan is stepping up an offensive to dislodge the Taliban from a key stronghold in an effort to safeguard general election slated for May. The northwestern Tirah Valley, hemmed in by steep mountains and replete with numerous caves, has offered Pakistan's umbrella Tehreek-e-Taliban a new base in the tribal district of Khyber beyond the reach of ground troops.