Policemen, lawyers among 13 martyred in Mardan suicide blast  

MARDAN: At least 13 people including two policemen and four lawyers were martyred and more than 30 others injured in a hand grenade and suicide attack near district court of Mardan, police and rescue officials said.

According to police, the first blast was a hand grenade attack and the second was a suicide blast.

DPO Mardan Faisal Shahzad said a suicide bomber, who was stopped by police at the main gate threw a hand grenade inside the district court and started running towards the building.

The police officer said the running suicide bomber was shot by police as a result his explosive belt around his waist exploded. At least 10 people including two policemen and two lawyers were killed in the blast.

DPO Mardan dismissed any firing inside the court, saying shots were fired by police in which suicide bomber was killed.

Chief Rescue officer Mardan Haris Habib told Reuters, "So far we recovered 12 bodies of the lawyers, police personnel and civilians. Besides this, we rescued 52 injured, including lawyers, police personnel and civilians from the spot."

The injured have been shifted to nearby hospitals.

Bomb disposal squad team has also arrived at the site of the incident.

Earlier, SSP Operation said the blast took place at the entrance of the Kacheri gate was a suicide attack.

Security forces have cordoned off the area and launched further investigation.