As many as 9 people, including 3 police personnel were killed when a powerful bomb blast hit police vehicle in Hangu on Thursday morning.

At least 20 people were also reportedly sustained injuries in the ambush on regular police petrol near Hangu Bypass Road, local official said.

The police van was completely destroyed in the incident.

Police and security forces cordoned off the area immediately after the blast and a probe into the attack has been started.

The injured were shifted to the nearby hospital where the sources say those who received wounds also included 7 children and 7 women.

Talking to AAJ News, the DPO Hangu told the bomb was remote-controlled and about 400 kilograms of explosive material was used to carry out the attack.