Mardan blast appalls secretary-general

PESHAWAR, Pakistan, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- The deadly suicide bomb attack at a Pakistani army center, reportedly by a teenager, has "appalled" U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, a spokeswoman said.

The attack Thursday by a young bomber wearing a school boy's uniform killed and wounded dozens of army recruits and others on the parade grounds of the Punjab Regiment Center in Mardan in Pakistan's volatile northwest-region.

The blast, one of deadliest to strike Pakistan, killed at least 27 recruits as they trained on the parade grounds and dozens more were wounded, some seriously. The Washington Post, quoting police sources, reported up to 32 people were killed.

The U.N. secretary-general strongly condemned the bombing, his representative said, adding, "He is appalled by the reported use of a minor to commit this terrorist act."

"I am deeply distressed by the use of a young boy in a suicide attack today in Pakistan and condemn those who manipulate or kill innocent children to achieve political goals," Radhika Coomaraswamy, U.N. special representative for children and armed conflict, said.

She said the attack was an "unfortunate reminder of the changing nature of war where civilians are more frequently targets or unwilling participants."

The Mardan attacker's age has been variously reported to be between 12 and 17.

The Post reported he was wearing the uniform of a nearby school, which apparently helped him slip through security at the heavily guarded center.

The Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility.

The Daily Mail quoted the military as saying it believes the bomber was a boy of about 12, but quoted the Taliban the attacker was a teenage soldier dressed as a schoolboy.

The British newspaper said child bombers have also been used by the Taliban against coalition forces in Afghanistan.