Four dead in Pakistan suicide blast

A blast believed to have been set off by a suicide bomber killed at least four people at a political rally in north-western Pakistan today, police said.

Authorities suspect a man being searched at the entrance set off the explosion.

The rally was organised by Ameer Muqam, a senior member of the Pakistan Muslim League-Q party. He had not yet arrived when the blast went off.

The event was held in the Batgram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

At least 12 other people were injured in the blast, said Noor Mohammad, a police official working in the area.

No group immediately claimed responsibility, but the Pakistani Taliban have often targeted Pakistani officials and security forces in their quest to topple the US-allied government in Pakistan.