The attack occurred on Mall Road, a busy commercial area in Rawalpindi located a short distance from the army's General Headquarters, at about 3 pm, eyewitnesses said.

Human body parts lay strewn all over the site of the blast, which was immediately cordoned off by army personnel.

At least 10 vehicles were damaged in the blast, witnesses said.

It was not immediately clear whether the suicide bomber was on foot or in a car. Some reports said the bomber rammed his car into the army vehicle and that senior ranking army officers were among the dead.