Suicide bomb kills nine in compound

Published on 22/07/2012 00:00

A SUICIDE bomber attacked a compound in north-western Pakistan yesterday killing at least nine people, including three children, police said.

The compound was owned by a militant commander who had fallen out with the Pakistani Taleban. No-one has claimed responsibility for the attack, but suspicion has fallen on Mullah Toofan, a close ally to the head of the Pakistani Taleban, Hakimullah Mehsud.

The bomber tried to enter the guest quarters of the compound and detonated his explosives when challenged by guards outside, police said.

There has been significant in-fighting over territory and leadership positions within the Pakistani Taleban, an umbrella body set up in 2007 to represent 40 insurgent groups, many of whom are waging war on the Islamabad government.

The Pakistani army has waged many offensives against the Pakistani Taleban but its fighters continue to attack military and civilian targets.