ISLAMABAD, Jan 31 (NNN-KUNA): More than fifteen people including security personnel were killed and over twenty others were wounded in a suicide blast on Saturday in a Pakistani tribal agency, close to Afghan border, said officials.

A suicide bomber exploded himself at a security checkpost in main bazaar of Khar district in Bajaur tribal agency, security officials told KUNA.

They said the bomber exploded himself when the deployed security personnel stopped him for checking.

Sources said that at least nine people were killed including two security personnel. They added that several wounded have been rushed to nearby hospitals.

However, tribal sources and local Express news channel put the death toll to more than fifteen. They said over twenty others were wounded, adding that at least five of them are in critical condition.

The bazaar was immediately closed and the security forces cordoned off the area, said sources.

-NNN-KUNA

• SATELLITE IMAGES TO BE USED IN MAPPING FORESTS IN FIJI
• THAI ARMY CHIEF ORDERS HIGH ALERT AGAINST ILLEGAL ACTS ALONG BORDER
• MALAYSIA RECORDS HIGHEST TOTAL TRADE OF RM1.3 TRILLION LAST YEAR
• PARAGUAY'S VICE PRESIDENT & WIFE DOWN WITH DENGUE
• HANTAVIRUS ALERT IN CHILE AFTER THREE DEATHS & TEN INFECTED