PESHAWAR: Militants exploded four bombs in quick succession on Monday close to the US Consulate in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar, police and witnesses said.

Gunfire was briefly heard close to the heavily guarded and fortified building in Peshawar, said police officer Aziz Khan. Two of the blasts took place around 20 meters from the main entrance to the building, an Associated Press reporter close to the scene said.

Huge plumes of smoke rose high into the air. TV footage of one of the blasts suggested it was a car bomb. The US Embassy in Islamabad confirmed the consulate was the target of the attack, but gave no more details. It was unclear if the consulate itself was damaged. The US is only one of three countries to have a diplomatic presence in Peshawar. — AP