Inside the Most Dangerous Nation on Earth

Pakistan has had the dubious distinction of being the 'most dangerous nation' on earth for some time now. The country has been the hapless target of numerous terror strikes, it is often bombarded by drones sent by its 'ally' United States and lives in constant fear of a bloody coup by the powerful military.

We bring you some images that vividly capture the violent times of our volatile neighbour.

A supporter of the Jamaat-ud-Dawa beats the US flag with his shoes during an anti-American rally in Karachi. Nearly 500 protesters gathered to march on the streets of Karachi to condemn America's decision to place a $10 million bounty on its leader Hafiz Saeed. 

The Islamist leader, who had the $10 million American bounty placed on his head this week, has been helping Pakistan de-radicalise militants under efforts to stabilise the strategic US ally, a top Pakistani counter-terrorism official said.

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A man walks past a burning vehicle set on fire by protesters during a rally against the killing of eight people by unidentified gunmen in Quetta.

Unidentified gunmen riding on a motorcycle killed eight Shia Muslims in a pair of sectarian attacks in Southwest Pakistan, local media reported.

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Police survey the site where the body of Khalil Rasjed Dale, a British doctor working with the International Committee of the Red Cross, was found at a roadside in Quetta.

The beheaded body of the kidnapped British doctor was found by the roadside in the southwestern Pakistan city of Quetta, police and Red Cross officials said. Dale, 60, was kidnapped by suspected militants while on his way home from work.  

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Men learn how to operate sewing machines at the Mashal de-radicalisation centre run by the Pakistani Army in Gulibagh, Pakistan's Swat Valley. Pakistan's military drove militants out of Swat in 2009.

Mashal is in the building which used to be the headquarters of the militants. Military officers, trainers, moderate clerics and psychologists were chosen to run three-month courses designed to erase 'radical thoughts' of those accused of aiding the Taliban.

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Pakistani policemen stand guard outside the house where bin Laden's family is believed to be detained in Islamabad.

A Pakistani court charged former Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden's three widows and two daughters with illegally staying in the country and sentenced them to 45 days in jail.

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Policemen take positions during a fire fight with gang members near Karachi's Lyari area2.

At least 20 people including four police officials have been killed and 55 were injured during the last three days in the exchange of fire between police and gang members, local media reported.

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A man holds up a burning tyre to block a road after it was set ablaze by supporters of the Pakistan People's Party during a protest against a Supreme Court verdict in Peshawar. Nearly 100 protesters marched on the street of Peshawar to condemn the contempt of court verdict against Pakistan's Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani.

Pakistan's Supreme Court on Thursday found Gilani guilty of contempt of court for refusing to reopen corruption cases against the president, but gave him only a symbolic sentence of a few minutes detention in the courtroom.

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Pashtun women, whose family was displaced by the ilitary operation last year against militants in Bara, line up in their burqas to get supplies at the United Nations High Commission for Refugees supported Jalozai camp in Pakistan's northwest.

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Residents look on as a security official stands guard near a damaged vehicle hit by a bomb attack in Jamrud about 25 km west of Peshawar in northwest Pakistan.

A bomb ripped through the passenger van in the Ghandai area of the restive Khyber tribal region, killing at least six people and wounding nine others, officials said.

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Supporters of Al Muhammadia Students, a religious group, shout slogans while taking part in an anti-American rally in Karachi.

Dozens of students gathered in a rally to condemn the American decision to place a $10 million bounty on its leader Hafiz Saeed, the man suspected of masterminding the 2008 Mumbai attack.

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Armed policemen are seen through the shattered window of a police van which was damaged during a firefight with gang members in Karachi's Lyari area.

Two policemen were killed during an exchange of fire between police and gang members in the Lyari area of Karachi, local media reported.

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An injured cameraman is being attended to during a fire fight between police and gang members near Karachi's Lyari area.

At least 20 people including four police officials have been killed and 55 were injured during the last three days in the exchange of fire between police and gang members, local media reported. 

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Men are seen in a prison cell after inmates escaped from the jail in the town of Bannu, northwest of Pakistan.

Militants stormed a prison in Pakistan in the dead of the night on Sunday and freed nearly 400 inmates, including one on death row for trying to assassinate former President Pervez Musharraf, police officials said.

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