Suicide bombers carried out two explosions to breach a wall at a military base in northwest Pakistan while others stormed the area and were driven back in violence that killed at least nine people and wounded 25.
A group linked to the Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack in the town of Bannu in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and said dozens of Pakistani security forces had been killed. The military has not yet confirmed any casualties, but the Bannu district hospital said at least nine people were killed.
Police officer Zahid Khan said puffs of grey smoke rose into the air after two explosions and gunfire continued.
Four of the dead were children, hospital officials said. The victims lived near the site of the blasts.
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned the attack, calling it an abhorrent act during the holy month of Ramadan. He praised the quick action of security forces in eliminating the terrorists, saying the entire country rejects the dastardly deeds of the militants.
