At least six people have died after a bomb exploded at a funeral procession in north-western Pakistan, police say.
At least 12 people have died in a bomb explosion at a funeral procession in north-western Pakistan, police say.
The attackers targeted the funeral of a Shia Muslim man who was gunned down on Thursday. Several others are wounded.
The attackers targeted the funeral of a Shia Muslim man who was gunned down on Thursday. Several others were wounded in Friday's blast.
The blast took place in Dera Ismail Khan, a town close to Pakistan's semi-autonomous tribal area, which has a history of sectarian violence.
It took place in Dera Ismail Khan, a town close to Pakistan's semi-autonomous tribal area, which has a history of sectarian violence.
The town has witnessed strife between Pakistan's majority Sunnis and minority Shias.
The town has witnessed strife between Pakistan's Sunni and Shia communities.
According to reports, gunfire broke out and vehicles were set on fire after the attack.
Gunfire
There are fears the death toll in the explosion could go higher.
"The blast occurred when a funeral procession for a Shia Muslim murdered a day earlier was passing by," news agency Reuters quoted Syed Mohsin Shah, the area's top administrator, as saying.
"The blast occurred when a funeral procession for a Shia Muslim murdered a day earlier was passing by," news agency Reuters quoted Syed Mohsin Shah, the area's top administrator, as saying.
"We have six dead and 16 wounded. Now violence has erupted here. They're torching vehicles, ransacking shops and other properties," the agency quoted police officer Ehsanullah Khan as saying.
Police deputy superintendant Sanaullah told Reuters: "It's a suicide blast. We have found the severed legs of the suspected bomber.
"More than a dozen people have been killed, we are taking bodies and wounded to hospital," he said.
Gunfire broke out and vehicles were set on fire after the attack.
Mr Sanaullah said: "The firing has stopped, but the city is very tense and all shops have been closed."
Hundreds of people have been killed in a wave of suicide and other attacks in Pakistan over the past 18 months.
Hundreds of people have been killed in a wave of suicide and other attacks in Pakistan over the past 18 months.
Pakistani security forces say they are struggling to contain an insurgency by Taleban and al-Qaeda militants in its border region with Afghanistan.
Pakistani security forces say they are struggling to contain an insurgency by Taleban and al-Qaeda militants in its border region with Afghanistan.
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