Police said it was a suicide attack and the bomber was walking to the site and launched the attack.

The explosion occurred just after the conclusion of Shuda Conference at Lal Masjid near Melody Chowk in the capital. The conference was held in connection with the death of Lal Masjid supporters who were killed in an operation just a year ago.

Pakistani policemen inspect the site after a bomb explosion in Islamabad July 6, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) 

Some Lal Masjid followers took to the street in protest in Islamabad on July 3 last year. They tried to snatch arms from the security personnel deployed to maintain law and order, sparking clashes with them.

The security forces eventually launched an operation against armed supporters holed up in Lal Masjid after several rounds of talks aimed at resolving the issue in peaceful manners failed and controlled the mosque.

Pakistani policemen inspect the site after a bomb explosion in Islamabad July 6, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

(Xinhua News Agency July 7, 2008)