Suicide bomb hits UN in Pakistan

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Aftermath of the blast in Islamabad

A suspected suicide bomber has attacked the UN World Food Programme offices in Pakistan's capital Islamabad, killing three people and injuring several more.

Two of the dead are local women, and the third is an Iraqi man.
It is unclear who is responsible but suspicion will fall on the Pakistani Taliban, correspondents say.
They promised revenge for the killing of their leader Baitullah Mehsud in a US drone strike in August and have been behind a series of recent attacks.
Last week at least 16 people died in two suicide car bomb attacks in north-western Pakistan.
'A huge explosion downstairs'
Local television TV footage showed smoke rising from the heavily fortified UN building and shattered windows - shortly after the early afternoon attack.

The explosion happened early in the afternoon

The bomb exploded in the building's reception area.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik said the bomber was dressed in an Frontier Corps uniform and asked to go inside to use the toilet.
The BBC's Orla Guerin, outside the UN compound, says sniffer dogs have been brought in and investigators are on the roof. The building is now ringed by heavily armed anti-terror police.
For Pakistan this is an unwelcome reminder that their capital remains vulnerable, our correspondent says.
It is further proof that the militants can still strike in spite of increased security precautions and ongoing army operations.
Mr Malik said the attack would not "slacken the resolve" of Pakistan's efforts to counter the Taliban.
'Terrible tragedy'
Earlier, a WFP employee, Sajjad Anwar, told local television the explosion took place within the compound, close to the main building, where there were about 100 people working at the time.
"Walls of the building have cracked because of the intensity of the blast," he said.
"I don't know how this could have happened. We have private security as well as government-provided police."
The WFP said three of its staff members had been confirmed dead and several others had been injured - two were in a critical condition.
WFP deputy executive director Amir Abdulla, described the attack as "a terrible tragedy for WFP, and for the whole humanitarian community in Pakistan".
"Our deepest condolences go to the family, friends and colleagues of those who died or were injured in this incident.
"These were people working to assist the poor and the vulnerable on the frontlines of hunger in Pakistan."