A suicide bomber blew himself up near a leading politician critical of Islamic extremists in northwestern Pakistan on Thursday, killing at least four people but leaving the politician unhurt, police said.
The government vowed to battle militancy following the blast, the latest in a surge in attacks by Taliban and al-Qaida-linked insurgents on government, military and Western targets.
"We have two options: either hand over the country to the Taliban or defeat them," said Interior Ministry chief Rehman Malik. "We will defeat and eliminate them."
The attack occurred as the politician, Asfandyar Wali Khan, was receiving guests to mark the end of the Islamic fasting month at his home in Charsadda, said police officer Akhtar Ali Shah.
"The bomber shouted 'God is great!' and ran toward Asfandyar Wali Khan. I saw a police guard open fire and hit him in the head," said police officer Riaz Khan. "He fell down and blew himself up."
Shah said Khan was unhurt, but at least four people were killed and several others were injured.
Northwestern Pakistan is the front line in the country's battle against the militants, who are also blamed for increasing attacks on NATO and U.S. forces in neighboring Afghanistan.
Khan's Awami National Party competes with pro-Taliban religious parties for the loyalties of the region's ethnic Pashtuns. It has been sharply critical of Islamic extremists.
The grouping also is a key partner in the ruling coalition of pro-Western President Asif Ali Zardari.
