自杀炸弹杀手在巴基斯坦西北部炸死12人

Officials in northwestern Pakistan say a suspected suicide blast Tuesday killed at least 12 people and wounded many more. A majority of the victims are said to be security forces.

Witnesses say the bomber riding a motorbike struck a security checkpoint separating the semi-autonomous and volatile Khyber tribal district from the city of Peshawar.

Rescue workers and local officials say a senior officer of the tribal police force and a local journalist are among the dead.

The massive blast caused damage to several vehicles and motorbikes parked near the security post.

There are no immediate claims of responsibility.

Khyber serves as one of the two main routes for trade and transit between Pakistan and landlocked Afghanistan.

The Pakistani tribal area has been a hub of local and foreign militants involved in terrorist attacks on both sides of the border.