Islamabad: A suicide bomber intending to target a Shiite procession today blew himself up killing two persons, including a policeman, and injuring seven others in Pakistan's Northwest Frontier province despite a heavy security blanket to check sectarian violence during Muharram.

The suicide attack in Dera Ismail Khan is the third to rock Pakistan in the last four days and comes two days after another bombing left 14 people dead in the NWFP capital, Peshawar.

"He had a bomb strapped to his stomach and blew himself up," a senior provincial official told sources.

Sources said the suicide bomber intended to target a Shia process procession taken out during Muharram period. The bomber apparently refused to be searched and detonated explosives strapped to his body, which killed three persons including the attacker and police officer.

Seven people including two policemen were also injured in the attack at the police checkpost near Liaqat Park, police officer Aslam Khattak said.

The bombings were taking place despite a massive security blanket to avert sectarian attacks during the Muharram period.

A suicide bomber blew himself up and a security guard at the Marriot Hotel here on Friday, hours before the Indian High Commission was to hold a Republic Day reception there.

The suicide bombers suspected to be from the extremist groups of Sunni sect target the processions taken out by Shias during the period.