Demonstration Held Near Bombed Madrasah In Pakistan

Remains of the madrasah attacked by Pakistani troops on October 30 (epa)

October 31, 2006 -- There has been a protest today near the Pakistani-Afghan border against Pakistani helicopter missile strikes that killed some 80 people at an Islamic religious school, or madrasah.

Thousands of people reportedly denounced the Pakistani and U.S. governments during the protest in Khar, near where the assault occurred on October 30 in the Bajur tribal district.

The protesters say the victims were innocent students and teachers, but the Pakistani government says the school was an Al-Qaeda training camp.

In related news, a report done for the U.S. Congress says Taliban activities along the Afghan-Pakistan border appear to have risen in the nearly two months since Pakistani authorities reached a controversial truce with militants in Pakistan's North Waziristan region.

The report by the Congressional Research Service said that seven weeks after the deal was reached, the rate of Taliban activities in Afghanistan appears to have increased, and militants may be failing to uphold their commitments.

(Reuters, AP)