Suicide blast claims 18 lives in Pakistan’s northwest

Peshawar: A suicide bomber detonated his explosives-laden vehicle near a court complex and government offices at Hangu in Pakistan’s restive northwest today, killing 18 people, including policemen and injuring nearly 40 others, officials said.
The blast occurred at 6.15 pm in a high-security zone in the heart of Hangu where several government offices and a market are located.
District administration Chief Mohammad Siddique confirmed the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber.
Eighteen people, including policemen and passers-by, were killed by the blast, police officials said.
At least two children were among the nearly 40 people who were injured. Six of the wounded were in a serious condition, Siddique said.
Witnesses said several persons could be 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.