Pakistani : Bomb explosion near market in northwest kills 8 people

A government official says a bomb explosion near a market in northwestern Pakistan has killed eight people. Local administrator Javed Khan says the blast Friday in the town of Hangu in the Orakzai tribal area also wounded 18 people. Some of the wounded were in critical condition. No group has claimed responsibility. But suspicion fell on Taliban militants who regularly target security forces and civilians in the tribal region. The area where the bombing took place is close to government and security offices. The military has carried out numerous operations against the Pakistani Taliban in the tribal region, including in Orakzai. But the militants have proved persistent and continue to carry out attacks.