Rawalpindi: At least 34 people were killed Monday when a suicide bomber riding a motorcycle triggered a powerful explosion close to a luxury hotel and a bank in this garrison city abutting capital Islamabad. The blast occurred barely 500 metres from the Pakistani Army Headquarters, which had come under Taliban attack last month.

Pakistani policemen secure the site after a sucide bomb blast in Rawalpindi on Monday. At least 15 people havebeen wounded, some critically when the blast took occurred at 10.40 a.m. AFP

The massive explosion took place on a day when the Pakistan government offered a reward of $5 million for information on the country's Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud and 18 of his associates.

At least 34 people were killed and 32 wounded in the suicide explosion in Rawalpindi cantonment area, Geo TV quoted spokesman of Rescue 1122 as saying.

The blast occurred at 10.40 a.m. when people had queued up at the bank to collect their salaries.

"The suicide bomber came on a motorcycle and blew up close to people gathered to get salaries. We found parts of a suicide vest and some body parts of the suicide attacker," senior police official Aslam Tarin told reporters.

The blast rocked Shalimar Hotel behind Pearl Continental Hotel, located on Mall Road in the cantonment area of Rawalpindi.

Most of the victims were reported to be security forces personnel.

Sajid Khan, a witness, told mediapersons that he was driving through the area when he heard the explosion.

"It was a huge blast. It was close to the General Post Office Chowk (roundabout) on Mall Road. I saw smoke rising from one of the buildings. I sped up to escape," Khan was quoted as saying.

The explosion damaged several cars waiting at a traffic signal.

"When I reached the scene there were dead and wounded people lying everywhere," DPA quoted another witness Shaukat Ali as saying.