12 killed in blast at government office in Pakistan

Islamabad, Dec 29: At least 12 people were killed and 25 others were injured in a blast at a government office in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

The "suicide attack carried by a bomber" occurred on Tuesday near National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) office in Mardan city, Dawn online quoted Deputy Inspector General (Mardan division) Saeed Wazir as saying.

A security guard posted at the office stopped the bomber at the gate after which he detonated his suicide vest, the DIG said.

The toll was expected to rise further as a large number of people were critically injured, the official said.

A Mardan district police officer said it was too early to determine the nature of the blast.

IANS