Authorities decided to close schools after a twin suicide bomb attack at the International Islamic University. Six were killed.

Most Pakistanis believed the decision is for the better, but some had reservations.

[Abdul Rauf, College Student]:
"This step that the government has taken about closure of schools is both good and bad. It is good because it may help to save many lives. It is bad because children's time is being wasted. Some proper steps should be taken to put an end to terrorism."

Pakistani forces launched an offensive to gain control of the lawless South Waziristan region on Saturday… after militants rocked the country with a string of bomb and suicide attacks in recent weeks.

The offensive against militants is now in its fifth day. And most Pakistanis say the government needs to finish off Taliban militants once and for all.

[Imran Elahi, Medical Representative]:
"There have been days when there were five or six blasts. Suicide bombers roam around and there is nothing to stop them. And ultimately you are seeing the result. There is a school at the back, another on the left. All of them are closed."

About 28,000 soldiers are battling an estimated 10,000 hard-core Taliban, including about 1,000 tough Uzbek fighters and some Arab al Qaeda members.