Islamabad  - At least one member of the security forces was killed and five were injured Saturday in an explosion near a paramilitary checkpoint in the Pakistani capital Islamabad, eyewitnesses said.

The blast occurred in the upmarket residential area of E-7 where several embassies, a UN office and diplomatic residences are also located.

"It was a suicide bombing," said Omar Hayyat, a soldier from the paramilitary Frontier Corps, who was admitted to a local hospital with injuries. "He was on foot," he added.

At least five more people were brought to the Polyclinic Hospital.

Gunfire was also heard following the blast and there were media reports that some terrorists were entrenched in a residence and they were exchanging fire with the security forces. (dpa)