Analysis: Deadly escalation in tactics

A suicide bomb attack in Karachi which has killed 14 people, is seen as a "deadly escalation in tactics" of terror attacks, linked to possible retaliation from the religious extremists.

It is believed that twelve French nationals, among the killed, were providing technical assistance to Pakistan Navy for its submarine programme were the prime targets.

According to the Police Chief of Sindh, Kamal Shah the immediate suspicions rest both on the Al Qaeda network, as well as India, the country's arch-rival, and police will investigate both.

Karachi has been at the center stage of violence for almost a decade and has recently witnessed a series of bomb blasts and sectarian killings.

"It is the new deadliest tactic of extremists," said a senior police investigator. "They want to target foreigners and now we have to break these dangerous elements working against Pakistan's interests," he said. But this time, President Musharraf in his address emphasized that this particular event was steered by 'foreign hands'.

Since the U.S. attacks in Afghanistan, Musharraf has walked a rocky road. The U.S. journalist Daniel Pearl disappeared in Karachi in January while researching a story about Moslem militant groups and later on a video of his killing was later handed to the U.S. Consulate.

The extremist leader, Sheikh Omer, who was released in an exchange of hijackers of an Indian airliner in 1999, is facing a trial of kidnapping and murder conspiracy of Daniel Pearl. The suicide bomb attack occurred on the same day as Shiekh Omer's court proceedings.

In March, two Americans were among those killed when attackers threw grenades at a church in the diplomatic enclave of the capital city of Islamabad.

Analysts believe that with this latest attack, angry Muslim militants wanted to convey their strength to General Pervez Musharraf and show their dissent with his pro-U.S. policies.

"It is a serious blow to Musharraf's regime. They (religious extremists) want to undermine the regime, " a leading analyst, Najam Sethi said.

"They are regrouping and it is high time for Musharraf to refocus on his commitment he made in January to eliminate religious extremism. Otherwise it will get bloodier," Sethi said.

General Musharraf has been cracking down on extremist religious since he decided to side with America against "war against terrorism" in post September 11 scenario. In the wake of an attack on the Indian parliament, he also outlawed two extremist organisations.

His pro-U.S. policies have angered religious and pro-Taliban extremist groups which are suspected of carrying out attacks in the country during last four months.

The escalation in "terrorist attacks" is bound to increase the problems for the general who gained popularity in the west by supporting the "international campaign against terrorism." His acceptance in the international community rested on his proclaimed stance against extremism and even within Pakistan many supported him in the referendum because he promised to fight against extremism.

Analysts say Musharraf's government is under tremendous pressure. The failure to curb this particular demon could have grave implications for General Musharraf and his policies.

General Musharraf is a man fighting on many fronts simultaneously. He has recently played the mandate card while juggling with strong political opposition. He has to counter dissent about his policies in the Afghan conflict, and on the domestic scene, has confronted sectarian outfits entrenched in society.

He has to face anti-India sentiment while trying to normalise relations, as well as manage the apparent move to marginalize Kashmiri extremist groups. And he needs to keep the international community assured of his commitment against terrorism. His challenge is to maintain the balance.