Pakistani leader among 29 killed in suicide bombing

A member of the provincial assembly of Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was among 29 people killed in a suicide bombing Tuesday, media reports said. Over 50 people were injured.

Independent member Imran Mohmand was killed in the blast at a funeral procession in Mardan, Geo News reported.

Police said the blast took place during the funeral procession of Haji Abdullah, a well-known figure in the area who was killed by unidentified gunmen Monday.

Provincial Information Minister Shaukat Yousafzai said the blast was a suicide attack.

Yousafzai told Geo News there were threats against Mohmand and two policemen had been deployed for his security.

Regional police chief Jaffar Khan told Xinhua the incident took place when a suicide bomber exploded his explosives-laden jacket amid the funeral gathering in Shergarh village of Mardan.

The injured were taken to the Lady Reading Hospital in provincial capital Peshawar.

Police chief Khan said around 10 kg of explosives were used.

Witnesses said over 500 people were present at the funeral.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the attack.

No group or militant organisation has claimed responsibility for the bombing.