9 killed in suicide bomb attack in NW Pakistan

Islamabad, July 21 (Xinhua-ANI): At least nine people including five children were killed and 15 others were injured when a suicide bomb hit a militant headquarters in Pakistan's northwest tribal area of Kurram Agency on Saturday afternoon, local media reported.

Earlier reports said that the attack was launched in Kurram Agency's neighboring area of Hangu.

In a report, local state-run TV channel PTV said that the incident took place at about 1:00 p.m. (local time) when a suicide bomber rammed his explosive-ladden vehicle into the wall of a house used as headquarters of a Molana Nabi Hanfi-led militant group in Speen Tall area of Kurram Agency, a restive semi- autonomous tribal area at Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

The suicide blast killed nine people including four militants and five kids who were passing by the blast site after attending their school.

Outer wall of the militants' headquarters was completely destroyed and four nearby houses were also damaged in the blast.

No group claimed responsibility for the blast.

The attack seems to be an outcome of internal conflict between two militant groups lead by Molana Hafiz Ziaur Rehman and Molana Nabi Hanfi.

Both groups have been at odds with each other for the last two years and they are often involved in killing and kidnapping of rival fighters in Kurram Agency. (Xinhua-ANI)