Islamabad(IRNA)-- A suicide bomber blew up his explosives-laden vehicle near the government offices in Pakistan’s northwest on Thursday and killed 25 people, officials said.
More than 40 people were also injured in the fatal attack in Hangu city, Commissioner Khalid Omerzai said.
The blast took place at 6:15 p.m. in a high-security zone where several government offices and a market are located.
District Coordination Officer Mohammad Siddique confirmed the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber.
Those killed included policemen and civilians, police officials said.
At least two children were among the 35 people who were injured. Six of the wounded were in critical conditions, Siddique said.
Witnesses said several persons could have been buried in the rubble of shops and buildings that collapsed due to the powerful blast.
The offices of the district police chief and the district administration chief were also destroyed.
An estimated 15 shops nearby the blast site were damaged, said the local media reports, adding that one small hotel where many police are said to be eating inside was completely destroyed and six shops surrounding the hotel also collapsed following the blast.
An estimated 450 kg of explosives were used in the blast, said police sources.
According to local media report, Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the suicide car bomb attack to avenge the killing of the al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden by the US forces in Pakistan early this month.
It is the third deadly attack after the killing of Osama bin Laden on May 2. Over 150 people, mostly security personnel were killed in these attacks.
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