Deadly blast hits Pakistani town

A suspected suicide attack in the north-western Pakistani town of Mardan has killed at least 13 people and wounded more than 20.

Those killed include four soldiers. There have been no immediate claims of responsibility for the bomb attack.

The blast occurred in a market near the gate of an army base, the Punjab Regimental Centre.

Mardan has seen previous attacks from Islamist militants - a bomb in a police station killed four people last month.

A senior army spokesman, Athar Abbas, said the bomber blew himself up when he was stopped by a soldier between the army base and a bakery.

He added that the bakery is also run by the regimental centre, and that the commercial area is routinely guarded by army soldiers.

The North West Frontier Province is considered a haven for militants with links to the Taleban and al-Qaeda.

Pakistan's government, which came to power at the end of March, has said it will deal with Islamic militancy through dialogue and by promoting development.

There has been a decrease in attacks since the new government took office.