At least 23 people have been killed and 80 others injured after a suicide bomb exploded in northwestern Pakistan.

The bomber detonated the explosives near a complex, where police officers live with their families.

This is the latest in a series of attacks demonstrating that Islamist militants remain a deadly force in Pakistan.

Two dozen houses and shops were destroyed in the explosion.

Those killed were mainly the wives and children of police officers. The wounded are recovering in nearby hospitals after being rescued from the rubble.

Naimat Ullah, Kohat Resident, said, "After finishing our fast we went to pray and the blast took place during our prayers. We went out and saw that all the 36 buildings had collapsed and all of the people were stuck under the rubble."

Kohat, the major town on the road between the provincial capital of Peshawar and several tribal areas, has been the scene of several militant attacks this year.

The Pakistani Taliban has claimed responsibility for a series of recent attacks across the nation. They want to destabilize the country and weaken a civilian government, already struggling with the flood disaster that's displaced millions of people and caused widespread destruction.

And to news just in now: a United Nations office in Pakistan's northwest city of Hangu has been blown up. It happened a short time ago. The injury toll is unknown. No-one has claimed responsibility for the attack. Two police vehicles have also been attacked by hand grenades in Hangu injuring at least 4 police officers.