Asia-Pacific

Suicide bomber kills six in Pakistan - police

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-03-05 16:21
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HANGU, Pakistan - A suicide bomber killed at least six people near a market in Pakistan's northwest on Friday, police said.

The attacker blew himself up as a convoy of civilians escorted by security forces passed, police said. The blast also wounded 25 people.

Suicide bombings have eased in recent weeks but it's not clear whether that is because security has improved after military gains against the Taliban, or if the insurgent are merely regrouping for more attacks.

Pakistan has launched two major offensives in the northwest over the past year against homegrown Taliban militants who want to topple the US-backed government of President Asif Ali Zardari.

The operations have destroyed militant bases, and Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud is widely believed to have been killed in a US drone strike in January. His predecessor was killed in a similar strike in August.