4 bombs target US Consulate in NW Pakistan

Militants exploded four bombs in quick succession Monday close to the US Consulate in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar, police and witnesses said. Gunfire was briefly heard close to the heavily guarded and fortified building in Peshawar, said police officer Aziz Khan.

Two of the blasts took place around 20 yards (meters) from the main entrance to the building, an Associated Press reporter close to the scene said. Huge plumes of smoke rose high into the air. TV footage of one of the blasts suggested it was a car bomb. (AP)