Pakistan bomb strikes procession

…Kills seven

A roadside bomb has killed at least seven people near a Shia Muslim procession in north-western Pakistan.

BBC says the attack took place in the city of Dera Ismail Khan, a stronghold of Sunni Muslim militant groups.

More attacks are feared in the coming days as Shia Muslims mark the climax of the holy month of Muharram.

Pakistan is suspending mobile phone coverage in several major cities after a series of bomb attacks on Shias, detonated by mobile phones.

One report said that four children were among those killed by the device on Saturday, set off by a television remote control device due to the mobile phone block.

A total of 17 people were wounded in the attack, Reuters reports.

Hardline Sunnis have threatened more attacks as the Shia mourning month comes to a climax.

More than a dozen people have already been killed this week observing Muharram.