U.S. Diplomat Safe After Pakistan Attack

Police Say Gunmen Shot At Vehicle Of Top Official In Northwest Region; Bomb Hits Political Rally

(CBS)  Written for CBSNews.com by Farhan Bokhari, reporting from Islamabad.

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Pakistan's intelligence services were ordered Tuesday to review security arrangements for diplomats traveling to the northern parts of the country after a U.S. diplomat survived an armed attack in Peshawar, capital of the Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP).

The U.S. Embassy in Islamabad declined to name the diplomat but intelligence officials in the capital city identified her as Lynne Tracy, the principal officer of the U.S. Consulate in Peshawar.

"There was a security incident in Peshawar this morning involving a U.S. consulate vehicle and three employees. There were no injuries and minimal damage to the vehicle," U.S. Embassy spokesman Lou Fintor told CBS News. "We are coordinating with Pakistani authorities in investigating the incident. The consulate is open and operating normally."

A senior Pakistani intelligence official in Islamabad said the attack took place when Tracy was driving to the U.S. consulate and her vehicle was fired upon by gunmen driving another vehicle.

The incident prompted an immediate, "comprehensive and fresh review of security in the NWFP," according to a senior Pakistani intelligence official who spoke to CBS News on condition of anonymity.

"While conditions in the NWFP have been dangerous for some time, the province has not been completely out of bounds in selective cases. Maybe that will have to change now," the intelligence official said.

A European diplomat in Islamabad who also spoke to CBS News on condition they not be named said the attack was likely to further intensify worries in Western capitals over security conditions inside Pakistan.

The attack came a day after the Pakistani government officially banned, for the first time, the Taliban, which has launched increasing attacks on Pakistani military and paramilitary troops, as well as U.S. and other NATO troops in Afghanistan.

The ban followed last Thursday's attack on the Pakistani military's main munitions factory, about 19 miles north of Islamabad.

"It is impossible to tell if the attack in Peshawar was in retaliation to the ban. But, obviously it is worth asking if the Taliban swiftly retaliated," said the European diplomat who spoke to CBS News.

Meanwhile, at least 20 people were reportedly wounded in the southwestern Pakistani province of Baluchistan when a bomb blast hit people gathered for a political rally.

Police official Nazir Ahmad told the Associated Press the bomb was attached to a motorcycle near the stage of the Tuesday rally. Ahmad said some of those injured in the blast were in critical condition.

The European diplomat warned that while the Pakistani government considers tighter controls over foreign nationals traveling to the NWFP and other volatile areas, the country will also have to take much tougher action against Islamic militants.

"The way these people are growing as a nuisance for Pakistan, there has to be a firm response," the diplomat told CBS News. "In the short term, of course, there will be lots of bloodshed. But, can Pakistan afford a half-hearted response, especially when this problem is growing so rapidly?"

[venkata4--2008]

"hmmmmm manchurian candidate maybe,,, hmmmm

Posted by trrrorislam3 at 10:33 AM : Aug 26, 2008"

Oh really ? This Prez. & VP are proven to be manchurian candidates for big oil and Halliburton which are making record profits since Iraqi war.

[decotoguy]

Like I''m been saying all along,It is time for all good men to come the aid of thier country and die for oil....the Bush,Cheney thinking type people has lost this country,when they pirate the Iraq oil for thier own control,the spirit of freedom for all died......
The door for pirates to do what ever has been swung wide open...

[trrrorislam3]

Obama''s DNC Message: I''m Like You
CBSNews.com Reports: Democrats To Push Obama%u2019s Similarities With Average Americans

rightttttttttttttt

HUSSEIN puts foreigns ahead of americans,,,

how many non-muslim americans have a syrian born muslim tony rezko helping you buy a multi million dollar house???

how many non-muslim americans travelled to pakistan for spring break???

how many non-muslim americans say the muslim call to prayer is the prettiests sounds on earth at sunset???

how many americans want to have to learn spanish???

how many americans want to give tens of millions of illegals amnesty???

how many americans want open borders???

how many americans want to send one trillion of their taxpayer dollars to kenya???

how many americans want to spend their taxpayer dollars on slavery reparations when they already paid via the civil war with their blood???

hmmmmm manchurian candidate maybe,,, hmmmm

[swwils]

Well they finally declared the Taliban illegal.What sparked that I wonder.We must have done something right.Maybe they think McCain is going to pick Gen.Patreaus for VP.That is what this country needs some *** soldiers running it instead oflittle Bush,and little Cheney.