24 killed in suicide blasts in Pakistan (Second lead, Superseding earlier story)

ISLAMABAD - At least 17 people, including a former member of the National Assembly (MNA), were killed when a suicide bomber blew himself up in a mosque of Pakistan’s south Waziristan region Monday afternoon, a political agent of the area said.

The blast took place in the town of Wana when former MNA Maulana Noor Mohammed Wazir was meeting people after prayers at the mosque, security officials said. Maulana Wazir was running a seminary in the area.

Syed Noor, a nephew of Maulana Wazir, confirmed that his uncle died in the incident.

More than 40 people were injured in the blast. Officials fear that the number of casualties could increase.

In a separate suicide attack Monday morning in Kurram agency, seven people were killed and several sustained injuries.

The restive tribal belt of Pakistan is the centre of war on terror where the security forces are engaged in an operation against the militants.