District police officer Mardan Zahoor Babar Afridi told media that the blast took place on a bridge in the Takht-e-Bahi area of ​​the province's Mardan district, killing three people while injuring eight others, including policemen.

He said the target of the blast was police officers as the blast occurred after a police vehicle passed over the bridge, Xinhua news agency reported. According to preliminary investigation, an improvised explosive device was planted on the bridge.

After the explosion, rescue teams, police and security forces immediately reached the spot and took the injured to the nearest hospital. The area has been cordoned off and a search operation is being conducted to arrest the criminals.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

Earlier on Thursday, five people, including a former member of the Senate, were killed in an explosion in Bajaur district of the province.