17 killed in Pakistan bomb attack as UN seeks more aid for flood victims

A CAR bomb ripped through a police compound in northwestern Pakistan yesterday, killing 14 women and children and three officers, the latest in a string of attacks proving that Islamist militants remain a potent force in the country.

• UN goodwill ambassador Angelina Jolie met people displaced by Pakistan's floods yesterday. Many refugees are still waiting for help, below, but the flow of international aid money has stalled in recent days Picture: AFP/Getty Images

The dead were the wives and children of police officers, said Khalid Omarzai, the city's top government official. Another 94 people were wounded.

The blast came as Hollywood star Angelina Jolie met flood victims in the region and appealed to the international community to provide the aid needed to help the country recover from its worst natural disaster. The Pakistani Taliban, which has claimed responsibility for a series of attacks in Pakistan in the last week, has attempted to capitalise on the floods crisis.

The complex targeted in yesterday's blast, in the garrison city of Kohat near the border with restless tribal areas, houses officers' homes, a training facility and a commercial area.

Officer Mohammad Arif said there was a huge explosion in the residential area of the compound soon after the evening breaking of the daily fast during the holy month of Ramadan. Power to the area was cut, forcing emergency workers to search for victims in the dark, he said.

Kohat, the major town on the road between the provincial capital of Peshawar and several tribal areas, has been the scene of several militant attacks this year. In April, two burqa-clad suicide bombers attacked refugees lined up to register for food in the district, killing 41 people.

"This city is a war zone. We would always expect such attacks," said Mr Omarzai.

The Pakistani Taliban has claimed responsibility for a series of recent attacks across the nation aimed at destabilising the country and weakening a civilian government already struggling to recover from flooding that has displaced millions and caused widespread destruction.

The flow of aid money has stalled in recent days, and officials expressed hope the two-day visit by Jolie - a goodwill ambassador for the UN's refugee agency - will convince foreign countries and individuals to open their wallets.

Jolie said she met many people whose lives have been devastated by the floods.

She added: "I am very moved by them and I hope I am able to do something to help bring attention to the situation."

The United Nations appealed for $460 million in emergency funds on 11 August, but only $294m has been received so far, and donations have stalled in recent days.