3 police personnel killed in blast in northwest Pakistan

Three police personnel, including a policewoman, were killed and five persons injured today when a bomb went off outside a court complex in northwest Pakistan, officials said.

The blast occurred at the main gate of the district court complex in Nowshera city, 40km from Peshawar, the capital of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.

The policewoman was killed instantly and two policemen succumbed to their injuries in hospital, doctors said.

There were conflicting reports about the nature of the blast. One report said the blast was caused by a suicide bomber. However, police officials said a bomb was detonated by remote control.

Police cordoned off the area and started a search operation.

Rescue teams shifted the injured to local hospitals.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani strongly condemned the blast and directed authorities to provide proper medical treatment to the injured.