The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Mardan

Four people were killed and 30 hurt when a car bomb ripped through a police station in northwest Pakistan Friday, ending a lull in attacks since a new government took power last month.

The powerful blast in the city of Mardan reduced the police station to a pile of rubble and wrecked an adjoining hotel and several shops, said senior police officer Mohammad Akhtar Khan.

"There was a huge explosion. It was an apparent car bomb planted next to the wall between the hotel and the police station and both were wrecked," Khan told AFP by telephone.

"Two policemen including an officer and two civilian workers were killed," Khan added.