Extra troops heading for Afghanistan

(NEWSCHANNEL 3) - At least 48 people are dead after a bombing in Pakistan. Local officials in the country's Khyber Trial region expect that number to climb as they continue to sift through the rubble.

A suicide bomber demolished a mosque packed with worshipers during Friday prayers.

Washington is watching the latest violence in the region, and President Barack Obama has announced his new plan for Pakistan's neighbor; Afghanistan.

The president's plan will send more troops to the region. U.S. forces will work in Afghanistan and Pakistan to root out terrorists who have set up along their shared border.

President Obama announced the new plan Friday morning. He says the plan will take the fight right to the front door of Al-Qaeda and the Taliban.

The fresh wave of U.S. troops will also help build up the Afghan army. 4,200 new troops would train Afghan soldiers and police, hundreds of civilian aid workers would also head to the region, and the U.S. is asking other countries to do the same.

The plan also pushes for more economic aid to Pakistan, and would create a network for talks between the U.S., Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

The president says the threat from the region is imminent.

"Multiple intelligent estimates have warned that Al-Qaeda is actively planning attacks on the United States homeland from its safe haven in Pakistan," said President Obama.

The extra troop heading to the region will add to the 17,000 the Commander-in-Chief has already approved for deployment.