20 killed in Pak suicide attack

The attack occurred even as US Vice-President Joe Biden arrived in Pakistan on a day-long visit for discussions.

At least 20 people,mostly security personnel,were killed and 14 others wounded when a suicide bomber on Wednesday rammed his explosives-laden vehicle into a police station in northwest Pakistan.

The attack occurred even as US Vice-President Joe Biden arrived in Pakistan on a day-long visit for discussions with the countrys top leadership on strategic relations,regional security and the war against terror.

The bomber targeted Miryan police station in Bannu district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province Wednesday evening. The explosion flattened the police station and a nearby mosque.

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At least 20 people are dead and toll is expected to rise as some persons could be buried in the rubble of the police station and mosque, they said. Local residents and rescue workers were removing debris with their hands.

Security officials said most of the dead were policemen. Several worshippers in the mosque died when its roof caved in. The blast also destroyed part of a girls primary school.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Muhammad Iftikhar Khan confirmed the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber. Sources said militants from adjoining tribal belt entered Bannu district with two explosives-laden vehicles,one used to target the police station. Bannu borders volatile North Waziristan.