Pakistani security officials examine the site of suicide bombing at a gate of Pakistan's ordinance factory in Wah, a garrison city about 35 kilometres (20 miles) west of the capital Islamabad yesterday. Twin suicide bombings at a massive weapons factory near Pakistan's capital left at least 46 people dead yesterday, dashing hopes for an end to turmoil following Pervez Musharraf's ouster as president. - AP

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP):

Twin suicide bombings at a massive weapons factory near Pakistan's capital killed 59 people and wounded 70 yesterday, dashing hopes for an end to turmoil following Pervez Musharraf's ouster as president.

The ruling coalition government, made up of traditional rivals who were united primarily in their determination to force Musharraf from office, meanwhile appeared veering toward collapse.

The two main parties have been unable to bridge key differences, such as whether judges fired by Musharraf should be quickly reinstated and who should succeed him as president.

Pakistanis have urged the civilian government to stop bickering and turn quickly to tackling the country's problems, including an economic downturn and extremist violence in the volatile northwest, where fighting between security forces and Islamic militants has escalated in recent weeks.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for yesterday's blasts at the government arms factory 20 miles (35 kilometres) west of Islamabad, which occurred as workers were on a shift change.

Revenge attacks

Maulvi Umar, a spokesman for Pakistani Taliban groups, told The Associated Press the attacks were in revenge for military airstrikes in Bajur, a militant stronghold near the Afghan border.

He said similar bombings would be carried out in other major cities, including Islamabad, unless the operations were halted.

The arms factory lies on the road heading towards Pakistan's troubled northwest.

Tanvir Lodhi, a spokesman for Pakistan Ordnance Factories, said 59 people were killed. Mohammed Azhar, a hospital official, said 70 others were wounded.

Among more than a dozen bodies seen by an AP Television News reporter at the hospital were two wearing uniforms, though an army spokesman said he had no information that security forces were among the dead.

Rana Tanveer, who was working at a bank about 200 yards (metres) from one of the gates where a bomber struck, said he was among the first to reach the scene.

"All around the gate I saw blood and human flesh. People helped the injured and took them in their cars and even on motorbikes to the hospital," he said.