Police: Blast in Pakistan's capital wounds 9

An explosives-laden vehicle rammed an anti-terrorist squad building Thursday in a part of Islamabad that houses several police facilities, wounding at least nine people, officials said.

The bombing took place as lawmakers gathered at Parliament for a briefing on the security situation in Pakistan, a U.S. ally in the war on terror that is besieged by militancy.

"It seems to be a suicide attack," said Islamabad police offical Mohammed Sadiq, who confirmed the casualty toll.

The capital has been under tight security because of the briefing and it was unclear how the attacker might have struck the building in the Police Lines neighborhood of Islamabad.

Ambulances streamed into the smoke-filled area. The red-brick building's facade was destroyed and a staircase had collapsed. Shoes were flung among the rubble.

Police officer Suhail Iqbal said the building housed an anti-terror squad. It stood fairly deep inside the heavily guarded police complex.

Pakistan has experienced a wave of militant violence in recent months. Much of it has been in the northwest regions bordering Afghanistan, but the insurgents have shown they can reach farther.

On Sept. 20, a suicide truck bombing of the Marriott Hotel killed 54 in the city.

--

Associated Press Writer Munir Ahmad contributed to this report.