ALPURI, Oct 13 Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan has claimed responsibility for Monday's suicide attack in Shangla. Four critically injured of the attack died on Tuesday, raising the death toll to 45.

A spokesman for TTP, Azam Tariq, told Dawn on phone in Laddah tehsil of South Waziristan that the attack was carried out by a member of the 'fidayeen wing' of Swat Taliban. He warned of such attacks in other cities of the country.

Soon after the blast a curfew had been imposed on the town, which was lifted at 3pm on Tuesday. All markets, offices and educational institutions remained closed in Alpuri.

NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti visited Shangla on Tuesday and inquired after the health of the injured at the district headquarters hospital. He also visited the scene of the blast near Alpuri police station.

The chief minister, who arrived in the town by a helicopter, ordered the payment of financial assistance within two weeks. An amount of Rs300,000 will be given to the family of deceased and Rs100,000 to each injured.

Mr Hoti directed the district administration to submit a report regarding the shortage of doctors and other staff in the district headquarters hospital.