Blast in Pakistani cinema kills 5

Policemen seen inside a cinema hall after two hand grenade blasts in Peshawar on Sunday. Photo: Dawn

Pakistani police say a bomb attack in a cinema in the northwestern city of Peshawar has killed five people.

Police official Zahid Khan says the explosion on Sunday night also wounded 30 people.

Another official, Faisal Mukhtar, says the attacker was apparently sitting in the audience in the crowded cinema before hurling two hand grenades in the dark.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

The bombing came hours after Pakistani Taliban nominated five well-known political and religious figures - including ex-cricketer Imran Khan - to represent them in peace talks with the government. Khan's party said he is unlikely to accept the role.

The Taliban announcement followed a statement by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif that his government would pursue a policy of a settlement through negotiations.