Islamabad , Pakistan ( CNN ) -- A young , female suicide bomber was behind a blast in Pakistan that killed at least 46 people and injured 105 others at a food distribution point , an official said Sunday . Zakir Hussain Afridi , the top government official in Bajaur Agency , Pakistan , said that the preliminary investigation into the explosion shows that a girl between the ages of 16 and 18 blew herself up . The determination was made from remains of the bomber that were recovered . The Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for Saturday 's blast in that Asian nation 's tribal region . Azam Tariq , the central spokesman for the Pakistani Taliban , told CNN in a phone call that it targeted people who had formed what he called a pro-government and anti-Taliban group . The blast took place about 600 meters from a U.N. World Food Programme distribution point at a security checkpoint in Khar , according to Amjad Jamal , a spokesman for the agency . He said that more than 300 people were going through a security screening to get food and other items at the time of the explosion . Khar is the headquarters of Bajaur Agency , one of the seven districts of Pakistan 's tribal region bordering Afghanistan . Jamal said that those who had been internally displaced during military efforts in Bajaur Agency get a month 's supply of food and other goods . Afridi said that the suicide bomber was in a burqa , a traditional full-body covering worn by some Muslim women . He said she was stopped for a security check at a checkpoint , where she detonated herself . The official said it was the first instance of a female suicide bomber in Pakistan that he could recall , though various international news groups have reported at least one previous case of a female suicide bomber in the country . The New York Times reported a woman detonated explosives in Peshawar in 2007 , killing herself . The Pakistani Taliban denied that the bomber was a woman . `` We have thousands of male suicide bombers ready who are keenly waiting for their turns . Then why would we use a woman , which is against the traditions of Islam ? '' the Pakistani Taliban 's Azam Tariq said . Jamal said all staff members of the World Food Programme and its partner organizations are safe , but added that all four of the program 's food distribution points in Bajaur Agency have been temporarily closed for security reasons . Still , the U.N. agency will continue to provide services elsewhere in the country , Jamal said . U.S. President Barack Obama issued a statement condemning Saturday 's `` outrageous terrorist attack , '' which he called `` an affront to the people of Pakistan and to all humanity . '' `` The United States stands with the people of Pakistan in this difficult time , and will strongly support Pakistan 's efforts to ensure greater peace , security and justice for its people , '' Obama said . The blast took place a day after about 150 militants fired at five security checkpoints in Mohmand Agency -- another of the seven districts in Pakistan 's volatile tribal region along the Afghan border -- killing 11 soldiers . Security forces later killed 40 militants who were among the group , authorities said Saturday . The security forces pounded militant hideouts in Mohmand Agency with helicopter gunships , said Maqsood Amin , a senior government official in the area . Twenty-four militants were killed during retaliation Friday while 16 were targeted Saturday . CNN 's Chris Lawrence contributed to this report .
An official says the suicide bomber was a civilian . President Obama says the ` ` outrageous attack '' is ` ` an affront ... to all . '' The Pakistani government claims responsibility for the blast , which killed at least 46 people . A U.N. spokesman said more than 300 people were going through security to get food .