At least 39 people have been killed in a New Year"s Day suicide bomb attack in Pakistan"s North West Frontier Province, with many children feared to be among the victims, police said, according to dpa. More than 100 people were injured in the attack, which took place at a sports ground in the Lakki Marwat district, police spokesman Mohammad Ayub Khan said. The bomber detonated his explosives-laden car near the sports ground where hundreds had been gathered to watch a volley ball game. Several buildings in the area were severely damaged in the explosion. Security forces blamed Islamist extremists for the attack, but no one has so far claimed responsibility. The district borders the semi-autonomous tribal areas along the border with Afghanistan, where Pakistani troops have been conducting a major offensive against Islamist insurgents since mid-October, killing at least 600 extremist militants. The insurgents have responded with frequent deadly attacks.
