35 killed in Pakistan blast

A SUICIDE bomber killed 35 people outside a bank near Pakistan’s capital yesterday, as the UN said spreading violence has forced it to start pulling out some expatriate staff and suspend long-term development work in areas along the Afghan border.

Hours after the first blast, another suicide bomber struck in the eastern city of Lahore, exploding a car at a police checkpoint as officers went to search it. At least seven policemen were injured and two were in critical condition, officials said.

“By putting their lives in danger, our men have saved the city from enormous sabotage,” Lahore Police chief Pervaiz Rathor told reporters at the scene.

Checkpoints, where cars are forced to drive slowly past police officers looking inside, have become common sights across Pakistan amid a surge in violence that has left at least 300 people dead over the past month. The violence has grown bloodier since the government launched an anti-Taliban offensive in mid-October.