Islamabad, Nov 1 : Rawalpindi Police believe that al-Qaeda network and the Taliban are behind Tuesday’s suicide attack near Pakistan Army headquarters that claimed the lives of eight people.

Police Chief Saud Aziz said: "Taliban and al Qaeda elements are there. Most probably they could be instrumental in this attack."

He said the police had found the disfigured head of the bomber, who is believed to be about 23 years old, and added that he blew himself up when the police stopped him at a checkpost near the high security area.

"A plastic surgeon has reconstructed the face of the bomber. Police also found three of his fingers and have sent them to the national registration office for identification," he said.

Police were also carrying out DNA tests on the attacker’s remains.

The Dawn reported that the suicide bomber used a hand grenade with a ‘mutual triggering mechanism’.

"The grenade was used to activate the high explosives the attacker was carrying in his jacket. It was the same mechanism that was used in the Marriott Hotel and Peshawar and Dera Ismail Khan blasts," sources said.

They said a report on the suicide attack had been sent to the Interior Ministry. (ANI)