Suicide bomber attack on Pakistan convoy

A suicide bomber attacked a convoy carrying a paramilitary police commander in north-western Pakistan today, killing at least six people, including two women.

The apparent target of the attack in Peshawar, Abdul Majeed Marwat who heads the Frontier Constabulary, was not hurt, said police official Dost Mohammed Khan.

The dead included three members of the security forces and three civilians, said Mr Khan. Two of the civilians were women. More than 15 people were wounded.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

Peshawar is on the border with Pakistan's semi-autonomous tribal region, the main sanctuary for Taliban militants in the country. The Pakistani Taliban has carried out many bombings in the city and other parts of the country, targeting both security forces and civilians.

There is concern that the militants could step up the pace of attacks before parliamentary elections on May 11.

AP