Pakistani militants say blast at court that kills 10 was revenge

Pakistani militants said a suicide bombing at a court on Monday in which at least 10 people were killed was revenge for the hanging of a man convicted of the 2011 killing of a prominent liberal politician who had called for reform of the blasphemy laws.

Police said the bomber had intended to enter the court in the northwestern town of Shabqadar, about 150km northwest of the capital, Islamabad, and set off his explosives when guards challenged him.

“The suicide bomber was trying to enter the judicial complex and he blew himself up when the police stopped him,” said police official Saeed Wazir.

Television news footage showed extensive damage. A senior police official said two police personnel, as well as four women and two children were among the dead.