BANNU, Pakistan (AP) — A Pakistani official says police shot a would-be suicide truck bomber in the country's northwest, detonating his explosives before he could hit a nearby police station.
Police officer Muhammad Ismail says Tuesday's explosion in the city of Bannu wounded five policemen and three civilians.
Ismail says the bomber, who was killed in the blast, had about 500 kilograms (1,102 pounds) of explosives in the truck. He says the attacker apparently wanted to drive the vehicle into the police station some 50 meters (yards) away.
Bannu is located just outside the North Waziristan tribal region where a mix of Pakistani, Afghan and al-Qaida-linked militant groups are based.
Pakistani Taliban spokesman Ahsanullah Ahsan claimed responsibility for the bombing in a phone call to The Associated Press.
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