The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Islamabad

A suicide bomb killed at least nine people heading to an election rally in Pakistan Monday, while a political worker died in a clash between rival parties as a wave of pre-poll violence intensified.

The attacks raised new fears about the security of the elections in one week's time, with candidates keeping a low profile since the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto at a political rally in December.

Police said Monday's bombing in the tribal region of North Waziristan, bordering Afghanistan, targeted the convoy of an election candidate as he travelled to a political meeting.