World Food Programme temporarily halts relief distribution in Pakistan's northwest

The World Food Programme (WFP) has temporarily halted its relief operations in Pakistan's restive northwest region following an attack at its aid distribution centre in Bajaur by a burqa-clad female suicide bomber in which 46 people were killed.

The UN agency said none of its staffers were among the casualties.

Footage on television showed that the powerful blast had blackened the walls of the aid centre and blown out its windows.

WFP spokesperson Amjad Jamal said the agency would resume the distribution of aid once the situation returns to normal.

UN chief Ban-Ki-moon said he was appalled at the killing of innocent people in the "abhorrent" terrorist attack at in Pakistan. Reacting to the incident, the United Nations Secretary General condemned the act and conveyed his condolences to the families of victims.

Around 36,000 internally displaced persons are being provided relief by the WFP operation in the region.

Pakistan's first woman suicide bomber yesterday targeted the UN aid distribution centre in the volatile tribal belt, killing 46 people and injuring over 70 others.

The bomber, who was clad in a burqa, lobbed a grenade and then detonated her explosives when she was stopped at a checkpoint near a World Food Programme centre in Khar, the headquarters of Bajaur tribal region.