24 dead in suicide attack in northwest Pakistan

A suicide bomber detonated his explosives-laden vehicle near a court complex and government offices at Hangu in Pakistan's restive northwest today, killing 24 people, including policemen, and injuring dozens.

The blast occurred at 6.15 pm in a high-security zone in the heart of Hangu where several government offices are located and a market as well.

District administration chief Mohammad Siddique confirmed the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber.

Twenty four people, including policemen and passers-by, were killed by the blast, police officials said.

At least two children were among the dozens of people who were injured. Six of the wounded were in a serious condition, Siddique said.

Witnesses said several persons could be buried in the rubble of shops and buildings that collapsed by the impact of the powerful blast.

The offices of the district police chief and the district administration chief were also destroyed.

A large number of people were present in the market and a bus terminal at the time of the blast. The injured were taken to a nearby hospital, where an emergency was declared.

No group claimed responsibility for the attack.

Cities and towns across Pakistan have witnessed a string of terrorist attacks in the wake of the killing of Osama bin Laden in a US raid in Abbottabad on May 2.