Mingora (Pakistan), Aug 30 - At least 17 police recruits were killed and over 40 others seriously injured Sunday in a suicide bomb attack at a police training centre in northwest Pakistan, the Online news agency reported.

The incident took place in Mingora city, the capital of Swat Valley in North West Frontier Province (NWFP). The security forces have meanwhile started a search operation to nab the associates of the suicide bomber. A massive fire broke out at the site after the blast.

About 60 police recruits were taking part in a training when the suicide bomber forced his way into the facility and blew himself up, the report said citing unnamed sources.

At least 17 police recruits were killed and more than 40 others seriously injured in the blast, it said. The injured were rushed to hospitals.

This was the third attack on the facility in the recent past.