Up to 13 people died and 61 others suffered injuries in a suicide bombing on Friday in the Pakistani capital, Interior Ministry Spokesman Javed Iqbal Cheema said at a news conference.

 

Up to 13 people died and 61 others suffered injuries in a suicide bombing on Friday in the Pakistani capital, Interior Ministry Spokesman Javed Iqbal Cheema said at a news conference.

 

A suicide bomber exploded himself on Friday afternoon in a market, which is approximately five minutes walk from the Lal Masjid.

 

"Seven personnel of Punjab Constabulary died and 14 were injured," Cheema said, adding it was a suicide bombing that apparently targeted the security forces.

 

He also said six civilians died in the attack and 47 others were injured who were provided necessary medical treatment.

 

Cheema said the investigation agencies had found the head of the bomber which is recognizable to some extent and would help in furthering the investigations.

 

Some people including religious students came to the Lal Masjid on Friday when it was reopened for prayers after renovation. They chanted anti-government slogans and clashed with security forces deployed around the mosque.

 

(Xinhua News Agency July 28, 2007)