Pakistan: Suicide car bomber kills 17 in mosque

A suicide bomber drove his explosive-laden vehicle into a mosque in north-west Pakistan yesterday, killing 17 policemen and soldiers.

The mosque, which was heavily damaged, sits beside a police station on the outskirts of Bannu, a town bordering North Waziristan, a known hub of al-Qa'ida and Taliban militants. Pakistan's Taliban movement has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The assault came as US Vice-President Joe Biden visited the nation, where he urged the government to fight growing religious extremism.