Three persons, including a police officer, were killed and 17 others injured Tuesday in a blast in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar.

A suicide attacker blew himself up outside the Peshawar Press Club when he was stopped by police at the entrance.

Police said the three people, including a police officer and the Club accountant, were killed in the attack. Some journalists among the injured have been taken to nearby hospitals in Peshawar, the capital of North West Frontier Province (NWFP).

Sources said a press conference of the ruling Pakistan People's Party was going on when the blast occurred. Seventy to 80 persons were reportedly present at the club premises.

The blast shattered the windowpanes of the nearby buildings. A passing passenger bus was also damaged in the explosion.

Bomb disposal squad said 8 kg of explosives and 2 kg of balls were used in the blast.

Police said the attack was an apparent move to target journalists. A witness said he saw a boy forcing his way into the Club's building but police stopped him for a body search.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Mian Iftikhar Hussain, information official of NWFP told reporters that the government is determined to fight terrorism and the attack on journalists is attack on the government.