MARDAN The Deputy Inspector General Mardan's office was hit by a suspected suicide bomber on Friday, leaving eight people dead, including his driver and two of his guards. The DIG, however, escaped unhurt.

The suicide blast took place at a police petrol pump near the DIG's office. The number of casualties is expected to rise.

'Apparently it was a suicide attack. The attack targetted a police escort. At least four people were killed,' Mardan police chief told Reuters.

One of the dead appeared to be the bomber and a severed head had been found, he said.

Mardan, 110 km (70 miles) northwest of Islamabad is the gateway to the Bajaur region on the Afghan border.