Suicide Attack Kills 12 in Pakistan

Two suicide bombers drove two cars laden with explosives into a security checkpoint in northwestern Pakistan on Tuesday, killing 12 civilians including seven children, police and rescue workers said.

The explosion tore off the roof of a nearby mosque, while the local market was packed with people, said a military officer, who asked not to be named.

The official said more militants tried to enter the military base after the blast but the attempt was thwarted by security forces. Six militants were killed in the exchange of fire, the official said.

Bannu Hospital spokesman Muhammad Nauman said 12 people were killed and 30 wounded in the attack, adding that all were civilians. Seven children were among the dead.

The local rescue service said it was searching for more casualties under the rubble of collapsed buildings.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack and said “the evil aims of Pakistan’s enemies will never be allowed to succeed.”

It was not immediately clear who was behind the attack. But attacks by the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militant group have increased in recent years against Pakistani police and soldiers in areas near the Afghan border.

By: BBC