Attack shuts all Pakistan schools

All schools and universities have been closed across Pakistan a day after suicide bombers attacked an Islamic university in the capital, Islamabad.

Four people died and at least 18 were wounded in the twin blasts at the International Islamic University.

The Taliban claimed the attack and said there would be more violence unless the army ended its offensive in the tribal areas of South Waziristan.

It was the first attack since the army began it offensive against militants.

Following the attack, Pakistan's Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that Pakistan was now in state of war.

'Indefinite'

The government has ordered the closure of schools, colleges and universities to prevent them from being targeted by suicide bombers.

Earlier, schools run by the armed forces and the government - and some public schools - closed for a week in the wake of the South Waziristan operation.

The BBC's M Ilyas Khan in Islamabad says the present closure is indefinite.

Schools, colleges and universities may reopen next week if the security threat decreases, he says.

A wave of attacks on Pakistani cities have killed more than 180 people in October alone.

Wednesday's attack was the first since the army launched its offensive against the Taliban in South Waziristan.

The militants have threatened more such attacks if the army continues its offensive.

Meanwhile, in South Waziristan, fighting is continuing for the fifth day as Pakistani troops battle to gain control of the key Taliban-held town of Kotkai.

Because of reporting restrictions, it is extremely hard to find out what is going on there.

The fighting has caused tens of thousands of civilians to flee the area.