At Least 53 Pakistanis Killed as Zardari Elected President

A suicide bomb attack on Saturday claimed the lives of at least 33 people at a security check point near Peshawar. "The death toll has risen to 33, as 11 wounded died in hospital overnight and rescue teams recovered six bodies from the debris," provincial police spokesman Riaz Ahmad told reporters.

About 80 people are still hospitalized. A car loaded with 40kg (88 pounds) of explosives was used in the attack. In a second incident on Saturday a bloody clash in Tehsil Matta between the Taliban and local residents resulted in the deaths of six Taliban gunmen and 20 civilians. During the Taliban attack, 14 local people were also kidnapped, the local police reported, according to the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP).

Meanwhile, the Pakistani army continues its operation in Darar Adamkhel for the 10th consecutive day. Local eyewitnesses have reported that the military was shelling Taliban hideouts in the region. The clashes and fighting across the country occurred while Pakistanis went to the polls to elect their new president. Co-chairman of the ruling party, Asif 'Ali Zardari, widower of the late Pakistani premier Benazir Bhutto, was elected president with a clear majority.

The United States congratulated Zardari on his win, the White House said in a statement. "President Bush looks forward to working with him. on issues important to both countries," White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said, according to news agencies.

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