Pakistani Member of Parliament killed by suicide bomber

December 2, 2009 A Pakistani provincial politician was killed earlier today by a teen-aged suicide bomber in the northwestern Swat valley.

Shamsher Ali Khan, a member of the Awami National Party, was receiving guests at his residence in the town of Kanju, when a young man, armed with explosives. walked into the grounds of the house. He blew himself up, killing Khan and injuring over twelve other people. According to police, two of the victim's brothers were among those hurt. The blast was so strong it damaged portions of the building.

The guests were reportedly gathering to celebrate the end of Eid al-Adha, a Muslim holy festival. "People were coming to exchange Eid greetings with him when a man came and blew himself up," said a relative of the MP, Farooq Khan.