At least 12 people have died in a bomb explosion 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 were wounded in Friday's blast.
The attackers targeted the funeral of a Shia Muslim man who was gunned down on Thursday. Several others were wounded in Friday's blast.
It 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 Sunni and Shia communities.
The town has witnessed strife between Pakistan's Sunni and Shia communities.
Gunfire
'Suicide blast'
There are fears the death toll in the explosion could go higher.
There are fears the death toll in the explosion could go higher.
The firing has stopped, but the city is very tense and all shops have been closed Sanaullah,police deputy superintendant
A curfew has been imposed in the town, 270km (170 miles) south-west of the capital, Islamabad.
"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.
Police deputy superintendant Sanaullah told Reuters: "It's a suicide blast. We have found the severed legs of the suspected bomber.
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.
"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.
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."
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.
Are you in the area? Are you affected by the issues in this story? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
Are you in the area? Are you affected by the issues in this story? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
