At least nine security personnel were killed and 21 others injured after a suicide bomber rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into a scouts camp in Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Thursday night.

Axar.az reports, citing Xinhua, that the explosion occurred at around 7:55 p.m. local time (1455 GMT) at the headquarters of the scouts in Bajaur district.

According to preliminary information from the sources, the explosive-laden vehicle approached the main gate of the compound and detonated after security personnel attempted to stop it, damaging the gate and surrounding walls.

"Following the blast, heavily armed militants opened fire using small and medium weapons, triggering an exchange of fire with security forces stationed inside the headquarters," the sources added.