BANNU, Sept 15: An explosive device partially damaged a missionary public school here on Friday night, residents and officials said.The bomb was planted outside the John Basco Public School in the Amandi Hanif area on the outskirts of Bannu at around 3am. The blast caused cracks in the school building, residents said.

The school was established a few years back and is situated in front of a police post and a few yards away from an army checkpoint.

School principal Khanuq Maseeh is believed to be a close relative of minority MPA Innocent Flex. About 122 boys and girls, including Christians and Muslims, study at the school. The teaching staff comprises of four Christian and two Muslim teachers.

Sources said that unlike other such incidents in the city, the school administration did not receive any threat or warning letter before the attack.