A suicide bombing targeted a religious seminary of Shia Muslim community in Pakistan, killing 28 people, including nine women and a minor girl.

A suicide bombing targeted a religious seminary of Shia Muslim community in Pakistan, killing 28 people, including nine women and a minor girl.

The incident occurred on Sunday night, in the city's Hazra town, in Quetta city of Balochistan province.

The toll was confirmed by Capital City police officer Mir Zubair Mehmood who said it happened when a suicide bomber riding a bicycle blew himself up in the crowded area, despite strict security measures in a highly sensitive and guarded area of Quetta.

A witness said that the suicide bomber, wearing a woman's dress and veil, exploded his explosive-laden jacket when a big number of people including women and children came out after offering prayers in a mosque, located in the seminary, said Xinhua.

It was a powerful blast which suspended the electricity supply to the area, delaying rescue work. A number of vehicles, shops and houses located nearby the blast site were also damaged, local media said.