Pakistan, Aug. 2 -- A powerful bomb explosion outside an upscale Italian restaurant in central Moscow killed three people and injured at least 21 others on Saturday evening, prompting a major security response. The blast occurred shortly before 8:00pm local time near the Balzi Rossi restaurant at Kudrinskaya Square, an area known for one of the city's historic Stalin-era skyscrapers. Authorities immediately sealed off the scene and launched an investigation into the deadly incident.

Russian officials said an unidentified woman attempted to enter the restaurant but was stopped by a security guard at the entrance. Moments later, the homemade explosive device she was carrying detonated, killing the woman, the security guard and a restaurant...