Police say suicide bomber attacks volleyball tournament in northwest Pakistan, 8 wounded

Police: Suicide bomb wounds 8 in Pakistan

PESHAWAR, Pakistan — Police say a suicide bomber attacked a volleyball tournament in a northwest Pakistani city near the insurgent-riddled tribal areas.

At least eight people were wounded in the Friday blast in Lakki Marwat.

Local police chief Ayub Khan says the blast may have been retaliation for locals’ attempts to expel militants by setting up their own militia. He says some nearby houses have collapsed, and that other people may be trapped in the rubble.

Lakki Marwat lies close to North and South Waziristan, two tribal regions where militants have proliferated.

Since the army launched a ground offensive in South Waziristan in October, a slew of bombings have plagued Pakistan and killed more than 500 people.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — Police say a bomb has exploded in a sporting field in a northwest Pakistani city near the insurgent-riddled tribal areas.

Police official Habib Khan said casualties are feared in the blast Friday in Lakki Marwat. He said the blast went off during a volleyball tournament.

Lakki Marwat lies close to North and South Waziristan, two tribal regions where militants have proliferated.

Since the army launched a ground offensive in South Waziristan in October, a slew of bombings have plagued Pakistan and killed more than 500 people.