VOA标准英语2008年-Bomb Blast in Pakistan Kills at Least 23

A suicide bomb blast in northwestern Pakistan has killed at least 23 people and wounded many others. No one has claimed responsibility, but police are blaming religious extremists for the deadly attack. The violence comes as security forces say they have killed up to 25 Taliban militants² in fresh attacks in a tribal³ area bordering Afghanistan. VOA's Ayaz Gul reports from Islamabad.
　
Residents gather at the site of a suicide bombing at a hospital in Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan, 19 Aug 2008

Police and witnesses say the bomb went off outside a hospital in the town of Dera Ismail Khan, where a group of Shi'ite Muslims had gathered to protest the murder of a local leader earlier in the day.

Most of the deaths from the bombing occurred instantly, and doctors said the condition of some of those wounded was critical. Speaking to VOA by telephone, regional police chief Naveed Malik gave details of the incident.

"A dead body was being carried to the hospital, and it was accompanied by family members; friends and police were also there. And then, there was a suicide bombing amidst them. We have recovered the legs of the suicide bomber⁴, and the forensic⁵ teams are already searching for other evidences in the debris," said Malik.

Police chief Malik says that an investigation⁶ into the attack is under way, but he would not rule out the involvement of extremist Sunni militants, who are often blamed for killing⁷ members of the minority Shiite community in Pakistan.

Sectarian violence involving the two Muslim sects⁸ has claimed hundreds of lives in recent years. Militant¹ and sectarian violence has plagued Pakistan's northwestern region.

Meanwhile, authorities say that security forces killed at least 20 Taliban militants in fighting in the Bajaur tribal region, which borders Afghanistan.

Fighting between government forces and militants in the region erupted early this month when Taliban fighters raided a security post. Officials say that up to 500 militants have been killed so far, and the fighting has forced tens-of-thousands of residents to flee Bajaur, which is a known stronghold of al-Qaida and Taliban linked militants.

 

1 militant   

adj.激进的，好斗的；n.激进分子，斗士

参考例句：

• Some militant leaders want to merge with white radicals.一些好斗的领导人要和白人中的激进派联合。
• He is a militant in the movement.他在那次运动中是个激进人物。

2 militants   

激进分子，好斗分子( militant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The militants have been sporadically fighting the government for years. 几年来，反叛分子一直对政府实施零星的战斗。
• Despite the onslaught, Palestinian militants managed to fire off rockets. 尽管如此，巴勒斯坦的激进分子仍然发射导弹。

3 tribal   

adj.部族的，种族的

参考例句：

• He became skilled in several tribal lingoes.他精通几种部族的语言。
• The country was torn apart by fierce tribal hostilities.那个国家被部落间的激烈冲突弄得四分五裂。

4 bomber   

n.轰炸机，投弹手，投掷炸弹者

参考例句：

• He flew a bomber during the war.他在战时驾驶轰炸机。
• Detectives hunting the London bombers will be keen to interview him.追查伦敦爆炸案凶犯的侦探们急于对他进行讯问。

5 forensic   

adj.法庭的，雄辩的

参考例句：

• The report included his interpretation of the forensic evidence.该报告包括他对法庭证据的诠释。
• The judge concluded the proceeding on 10:30 Am after one hour of forensic debate.经过近一个小时的法庭辩论后，法官于10时30分宣布休庭。

6 investigation   

n.调查，调查研究

参考例句：

• In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
• He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。

7 killing   

n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财

参考例句：

• Investors are set to make a killing from the sell-off.投资者准备清仓以便大赚一笔。
• Last week my brother made a killing on Wall Street.上个周我兄弟在华尔街赚了一大笔。

8 sects   

n.宗派，教派( sect的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Members of these sects are ruthlessly persecuted and suppressed. 这些教派的成员遭到了残酷的迫害和镇压。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He had subdued the religious sects, cleaned up Saigon. 他压服了宗教派别，刷新了西贡的面貌。 来自辞典例句