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World Digest: Blasts in Pakistan show pattern of insurgent resilience
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PAKISTAN
Blasts in Lahore show pattern of resilience
A pattern seems to be developing in Pakistan's war against Islamist extremists: State security forces beat militants into submission, only to see them roar back to life a few months later.
That dynamic was apparent Friday, when the insurgents -- who had recently appeared hobbled -- capped a weeklong string of attacks with bombings that killed at least 43 people in the eastern city of Lahore.
The blasts -- two powerful suicide bombings at lunchtime and five weaker explosions in the evening -- targeted military and police. No one asserted responsibility, but analysts blamed the Pakistani Taliban, which is based in the country's lawless tribal areas but has tentacles deep in the cities.
In January, analysts were writing the Taliban's obituary. After a spate of insurgent attacks, the group had been scattered by military offensives, and its leader, Hakimullah Mehsud, was confirmed killed by a U.S. drone strike. A lull followed.
But that obituary had also been written six months before, after the Taliban's previous leader was killed in a drone strike. The carnage slowed, then revived under Mehsud's watch.
Some Pakistani intelligence officials warned in January that another chief was sure to emerge and that, in any case, staging suicide bombings requires no leader. Although the Taliban's leadership remains in doubt, analysts said Friday, its ability to wage terror does not.
-- Karin Brulliard
INDIA
Russia reaffirms ties with a flurry of deals
On a visit Friday to New Delhi, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin closed more than $10 billion in accords with India, enlarging his country's role as a partner in defense, nuclear energy, aerospace and communications.
