Suicide bomb kills dozens at Pakistani funeral

[Robb]

Source: Washington Post

PESHAWAR, Pakistan - A suicide bomber killed at least 36 people at a funeral being held Wednesday by an anti-Taliban militia in the suburbs of this northwest city, police and government officials said.

The Pakistani Taliban, which regularly attacks tribal militias organized to combat insurgents, claimed responsibility for the attack in the Matanai area. The location borders Pakistan's semi-autonomous tribal areas, where Taliban and al-Qaeda militants have established havens.

The blast, which injured dozens, took place as hundreds of people were offering funeral prayers for the wife of one militia member, said Dilawar Khan, the leader of the group. The bomber was a teenager who pretended to be attending the funeral, Pakistani media reported.

Khan's tribe, the Adezai, formed a "peace committee" three years ago with government encouragement, and police say his and other similar groups in the area have helped slow violence in Peshawar.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/09/AR2011030901327.html