Suicide bomber kills 23 in Pakistan's NWFP

A suicide bomber on Saturday rammed his explosive-laden vehicle into a police check post killing 23 people, most of them security personnel, in Pakistan's troubled North West Frontier Province.

In second such attack on security forces within a week, the bomber targeted the check post located in Doaba area of Hangu district, which is surrounded by the troubled Aurakzai, Kurram and North Waziristan tribal regions.

Earlier reports had said the bomber struck a police check post in Doaba. Officials later said the suicide attacker struck when the convoy was near the check post. Several civilians were among the dead, they said.

The blast also damaged several nearby buildings. The injured, including seven civilians, were taken to hospitals in Hangu and Peshawar after police cordoned off the area.

No group claimed responsibility for the attack though officials believe it could have been the work of Taliban militants who are active in the area.

Pakistani security forces had conducted a major operation against the Taliban in Doaba last year.