Five die as Islamic militants attack quake aid agency

SUSPECTED Islamic militants attacked the office of a US-based Christian aid agency in Pakistan today, killing five people.

Police said gunmen attacked the office of World Vision – a major international relief organisation – in a remote part of Mansehra in northwest Pakistan 40 miles north of Islamabad, at about 9am (4am GMT).

Police official Mohammad Sabir said the attackers carried grenades, and local media reported explosions at the site.

Senior police officer Sajid Khan said: "They entered the building, set off a bomb and then opened fire."

Police exchanged fire with the attackers, following the attack today, and were hunting for them.

"They have fled to nearby forest. Our teams have cordoned off the area and launched a search," Mr Khan said, adding two women were among the dead.

A World Vision official said at least five Pakistani agency workers had been killed. Mansehra town has been a hub for relief efforts following an earthquake that killed 73,000 people in October 2005.

Islamist militants have previously killed other people working for aid groups in Pakistan, claiming such organisations work against Islam.