No One Hurt as Mine Destroys 4 Video Stores

An anti-tank mine destroyed four video stores in northwestern Pakistan, raising fears that radicals are using violence in an attempt to impose a harsh brand of Islam, a human rights official said. No one was hurt in the blast in the village of Inayat, police said. No one immediately claimed responsibility.

Afrasiab Khattak, chairman of Pakistan’s independent Human Rights Commission, said extremists have been allowed to employ coercive tactics in an attempt to impose strict Islamic laws, including banning television and videocassettes.