Islamabad, Dec 26 (IANS) The US embassy has formally requested the Pakistani government to provide bulletproof vehicles for its diplomats and other American staff posted in this country.
The concerned authorities are mulling over the request, Online news agency reported.

What is weighing with the authorities is the fact that should the US request be accepted, the embassies of other European countries could also demand a similar facility.

The US request comes against the backdrop of a series of terror attacks, including massive bombings, since early October in the northwestern city of Peshawar and elsewhere.

More than 260 lives have been lost in the bombings that have been blamed on the Taliban, which the Pakistani armed forces are battling in their stronghold of South Waziristan along the border with Afghanistan.

Peshawar witnessed this year’s worst terror attack Oct 28 when an explosion in a crowded market killed 117 people and injured over 200. In the latest such incident, at least four people were killed Thursday in a massive explosion in the city.

The terror strike came two days after four people were killed and 17 injured when a teenaged suicide bomber blew himself up outside the Peshawar Press Club, which was packed with journalists. Four journalists were wounded.

The US embassy, it is learnt, has also refused to accept vehicle registration numbers issued by the Pakistani authorities since a large number of fakes are in circulation in the country.