Provincial Politician Is Slain in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — A suicide bomber killed a provincial lawmaker in the northern Swat Valley on Tuesday, according to government officials.

Swat, a picturesque valley 100 miles north of the capital Islamabad in North-West Frontier Province was the focus of heavy fighting earlier this year. While the military was able to wrest the region from the control of Taliban militants, most of the insurgent leadership managed to escape and sporadic violence has continued.

Shamsher Ali, 59, the slain legislator, was a member of the provincial assembly from the Awami National Party, a liberal, secular political party that heads the ruling coalition in the province. The party has taken a tough stand against Taliban militants and its members have been the targets of several assassinations and attacks.

Mr. Ali was receiving guests at his house Tuesday afternoon when a suicide bomber entered the compound and detonated explosives, killing Mr. Ali and his brother. At least 15 people were wounded in the attack, police officials said.