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Suicide bomb blast kills at least 35 in Pakistani town

A suicide bomber blew himself up at a gathering of tribal elders and officials in northwest Pakistan yesterday, killing at least 35 people and wounding dozens more, officials said.

The attack was the third in as many days in Pakistan, posing an immediate challenge to the country's incoming government, set to be a coalition led by the parties of slain former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

Hundreds of people have died across the northwest of the country in recent months in clashes between pro-Taliban militants and security forces and in a wave of suicide attacks blamed on extremist rebels.

Yesterday's blast took place in Zarghon village near the lawless town of Darra Adam Khel, the scene of deadly fighting between Pakistani troops and Islamic militants in January, security official Shireen Khan said.

Hundreds of elders from five tribes had convened a traditional council, known as a jirga, to discuss "efforts to check growing Taliban activity in the area," administration official Khalid Khan said.

The bomber, believed to be a teenager, approached the meeting place on foot and blew himself up, the security official said, adding that the attacker's head had been recovered.

Body parts were strewn across the site, Khalid Khan said.

At least 28 people were killed on the spot and more than 30 others wounded, said Shireen Khan, a security official.

Seven others later died of their injuries in hospitals in Peshawar, the capital of North West Frontier Province, emergency services doctor Tariq Khan said. Several of the wounded were in serious condition.

"The suicide bomber was an 18-year-old boy. His face is recognizable and initial investigations indicate he was a resident of Darra Adam Khel," senior official Saleem Gandapur said.

One tribesman who attended the meeting, Khalid Afridi, said that the gathering had been a high-level one attended by influential tribal chiefs and key religious academics.
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