INTERPOL Secretary General Ronald K. Noble today strongly condemned the ‘despicable’ actions of a suicide bomber which resulted in the deaths of at least 35 people attending a police funeral in north-west Pakistan.

The attacker struck as police were preparing to give the honour salute to their murdered colleague, one of three policemen killed in a roadside bombing in the Bannu district earlier on Friday.

'This attack must be condemned in the strongest possible terms,' said Secretary General Noble. 'While this type of cowardly and despicable act aims to undermine the rule of law and deter police from their duty in protecting the public, no such attack can cause police to lose sight of the essential and vital role we play in our work to keep citizens safe worldwide.

'An attack against any police officer is an attack against all police officers throughout the world, against INTERPOL, against the public we are charged to protect and should never go unnoticed or unpunished.

'Our thoughts and condolences are with the families of the three police officers who died in the roadside bombing and especially with the family, friends and colleagues killed and wounded in the ruthless attack on the funeral,' said Mr Noble.