Two killed in Pakistan bomb explosion

ISLAMABAD - A bomb exploded Saturday in a busy market in Pakistan’s Swat Valley, killing two people and injuring 12, police and health officials said.

The blast occurred in a textile market in Mingora, the region’s main town.

A health official at the city’s main hospital said two bodies and 12 wounded were moved there. “Some security officials are also among the injured,” he said.

The bombing took place about one hour after police arrested a suspected teenage suicide bomber following a tip.

Pakistan’s army is fighting Taliban and Al Qaeda militants in the lawless tribal districts near Swat Valley, 140 km northwest of Islamabad.

A military offensive that started early last year cleared much of Swat valley and nearby districts of Islamist insurgents who once controlled the area.

But sporadic violence continues in the region with rebels carrying out occasional attacks on government and civilian targets.