Pakistan: Nine people killed in complex attack involving female suicide bomber

Gunmen open fire on police at a checkpoint before a suicide bomber attacks a hospital where victims from the shooting were taken.

Sunday 21 July 2019 13:24, UK

Pakistani rescue personnel move an injured blast victim of a suicide bomb attack at the entrance of a hospital in Kotlan Saidan village on the outskirts of the northwestern city of Dera Ismail Khan on July 21, 2019. - A female suicide bomber killed six people -- including two policemen -- in Pakistan's restive northwest on July 21 in an attack claimed by the Taliban, officials said. The attack happened at the entrance of a hospital in Kotlan Saidan village on the outskirts of the northwestern city of Dera Ismail Khan. (Photo by ADIL MUGHAL / AFP) (Photo credit should read ADIL MUGHAL/AFP/Getty Images)
Image: Emergency services treat an injured victim after the hospital bombing
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At least nine people have been killed and 30 others were injured in Pakistan after a complex attack involving a suicide bomber, believed to be a woman wearing a burqa.

The bomber struck outside a hospital as the wounded were being brought in from an earlier shooting targeting police.

The assault in Dera Ismail Khan, early on Sunday morning, was claimed by Tehrik-e-Taliban also known as the Pakistani Taliban.

A Pakistani policeman stands guard at site of a suicide bomb attack a hospital entrance in Kotlan Saidan village on the outskirts of the northwestern city of Dera Ismail Khan on July 21, 2019. - A female suicide bomber killed six people -- including two policemen -- in Pakistan's restive northwest on July 21 in an attack claimed by the Taliban, officials said. The attack happened at the entrance of a hospital in Kotlan Saidan village on the outskirts of the northwestern city of Dera Ismail Khan. (Photo by Adil Mughal / AFP) (Photo credit should read ADIL MUGHAL/AFP/Getty Images)
Image: A police officer at the hospital entrance

Police said gunmen on motorcycles opened fire on officers at a checkpoint, killing two.

A bomber then struck at the entrance to the hospital, killing another four officers and three people who were visiting relatives.

Mr Khan said many of the wounded were in a critical condition.

Waqar Ahmad, a local police officer said: "When their bodies were taken to the main hospital, a suicide bomber, believed to be a female, wearing a burqa, triggered an explosive-laden jacket and caused huge losses."

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Forensics expert Inayat Ullah said the attacker set off 7kg (15.4lbs) of explosives packed with nails and ball bearings.

The blast damaged the hospital emergency room and forced it to shut down, according to a hospital official, and the wounded were then transferred to a military hospital.

Pakistani security officials examine the site of a suicide bomb attack at the entrance of a hospital in Kotlan Saidan village on the outskirts of the northwestern city of Dera Ismail Khan on July 21, 2019. - A female suicide bomber killed six people -- including two policemen -- in Pakistan's restive northwest on July 21 in an attack claimed by the Taliban, officials said. The attack happened at the entrance of a hospital in Kotlan Saidan village on the outskirts of the northwestern city of Dera Ismail Khan. (Photo by Adil Mughal / AFP) (Photo credit should read ADIL MUGHAL/AFP/Getty Images)
Image: Police officers examine the scene at the hospital

The Pakistani Taliban claimed the attack but did not acknowledge the bomber was a woman.

The group has launched dozens of attacks over decades but rarely uses women to carry them out.

Pakistani security officials examine the site of a suicide bomb attack at the entrance of a hospital in Kotlan Saidan village on the outskirts of the northwestern city of Dera Ismail Khan on July 21, 2019. - A female suicide bomber killed six people -- including two policemen -- in Pakistan's restive northwest on July 21 in an attack claimed by the Taliban, officials said. The attack happened at the entrance of a hospital in Kotlan Saidan village on the outskirts of the northwestern city of Dera Ismail Khan. (Photo by Adil Mughal / AFP) (Photo credit should read ADIL MUGHAL/AFP/Getty Images)
Image: The bomb and the shooting killed at least nine people

Pakistan's military has carried out several major operations in recent years against the Pakistan Taliban and other militants in areas along the border with Afghanistan.

Violence has declined by militants make their presence known through occasional attacks.

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