At least 37 killed in funeral suicide blast in Pakistan

2011-03-09 20:06:11 GMT+7 (ICT)

PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN (BNO NEWS) -- At least 37 people were killed and dozens more were injured after a suicide bomber on Wednesday blasted a funeral ceremony in the northern region of Pakistan, officials said.

According to local police, over 150 people were attending the funeral of local Peace Committee chief Hakeem Khan's wife in the Adezai area of Matani near Peshawar. During the prayers, a young man, believed to be in his teens, joined the group before detonating the explosives.

Shortly after the incident Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility of the attack, saying they would continue to attack those who support the U.S. and Pakistani military. Khan, as a local peace leader, has long resisted the Taliban.

Local authorities cordoned off the area to conduct investigations as the injured were transported to local hospitals.

The U.S. Embassy in Pakistan strongly condemned the attacks, expressing sympathy for those who lost loved ones during the suicide blast.

"Today's attack on innocent people in mourning is unfortunately just the latest despicable example of the moral depths to which terrorists will sink as they target innocent Pakistani children, women, and men," the Embassy said.

"The United States stands in steadfast solidarity with the people and government of Pakistan as they seek to build a country in which all can live, work, and worship free from terror and intimidation."

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-03-09

Pakistan is rapidly becoming a failed state if it isn't one already, and a failed nuclear state at that.