This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/8437114.stm
The article has changed 22 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 7 | Version 8 |
---|---|
Blast hits Pakistan sports crowd | Blast hits Pakistan sports crowd |
(10 minutes later) | |
At least 40 people have been killed after a suspected suicide bomb attack at a volleyball pitch in the troubled north-west of Pakistan, officials say. | At least 40 people have been killed after a suspected suicide bomb attack at a volleyball pitch in the troubled north-west of Pakistan, officials say. |
Some officials said the bomber drove a vehicle onto the field as people gathered to watch a match. Other reports said the car was parked nearby. | Some officials said the bomber drove a vehicle onto the field as people gathered to watch a match. Other reports said the car was parked nearby. |
The attack took place in Lakki Marwat, close to North and South Waziristan. | The attack took place in Lakki Marwat, close to North and South Waziristan. |
The Pakistani army has been conducting a campaign against the Taliban in the tribal areas since October. | The Pakistani army has been conducting a campaign against the Taliban in the tribal areas since October. |
Many people were reported to be injured in Friday's attack. At least one house collapsed, trapping people under rubble. | Many people were reported to be injured in Friday's attack. At least one house collapsed, trapping people under rubble. |
"The villagers were watching the match between the two village teams when the bomber rashly drove his double-cabin pick-up vehicle into them and blew it up," district police chief Mohammad Ayub Khan told AFP news agency. | "The villagers were watching the match between the two village teams when the bomber rashly drove his double-cabin pick-up vehicle into them and blew it up," district police chief Mohammad Ayub Khan told AFP news agency. |
'Soft' target | 'Soft' target |
Mr Khan was quoted by the Associated Press news agency as saying the attack may have been in retaliation for attempts by locals to expel militants by setting up their own militia. | Mr Khan was quoted by the Associated Press news agency as saying the attack may have been in retaliation for attempts by locals to expel militants by setting up their own militia. |
The BBC's Aleem Maqbool reports from Islamabad that among those killed were members of a local peace committee who have been campaigning for an end to the violence. | The BBC's Aleem Maqbool reports from Islamabad that among those killed were members of a local peace committee who have been campaigning for an end to the violence. |
North and South Waziristan form a lethal militant belt from where insurgents have launched attacks across north-west Pakistan as well as into parts of eastern Afghanistan. | North and South Waziristan form a lethal militant belt from where insurgents have launched attacks across north-west Pakistan as well as into parts of eastern Afghanistan. |
Our correspondent says it had been feared that while the army was congratulating itself on its campaign, militants had simply escaped to neighbouring areas such as the one where Friday's attack happened. | Our correspondent says it had been feared that while the army was congratulating itself on its campaign, militants had simply escaped to neighbouring areas such as the one where Friday's attack happened. |
The number of people killed in militant attacks in Pakistan is fast approaching 600 in just three months, with no apparent end to the violence in sight, he adds. | The number of people killed in militant attacks in Pakistan is fast approaching 600 in just three months, with no apparent end to the violence in sight, he adds. |
Militants have attacked both "hard" targets, including army or intelligence offices, and "soft" ones such as markets or the crowd that was hit in Friday's bombing. | Militants have attacked both "hard" targets, including army or intelligence offices, and "soft" ones such as markets or the crowd that was hit in Friday's bombing. |
Are you in the area? Have you been affected by this story? Please send us your comments using the form below. | Are you in the area? Have you been affected by this story? Please send us your comments using the form below. |
In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |