It was supposed to be a celebration of the Muslim holiday of Eid instead it has become a time of mourning.

A suicide bomber shot his way into the home of a provinical law minister in northwest Pakistan on Wednesday, as he greeted villagers.

Israullah Gandapur was killed in the explosion along with seven others in a village near Dera Ismail Khan. More than 30 people were wounded.

Sweets, strewn clothes and empty chairs, an overturned cot -- remnants of a party.

Police now pick their way through the debris to find out who was responsible for the attack.

But suspicion is likely to fall on the Taliban, who have targeted government officials.

Gandapur joined the ruling provincial party led by the former cricket star Imran Khan, who is a strong proponent of peace talks with the Taliban. But several officials from Khan's party have been killed in attacks since the May election.