Manila, Oct 9 (IANS): At least two people were killed and seven injured in a grenade attack on a church in Philippines province of North Cotabato, authorities said Thursday.

The incident happened at 7.40 p.m. Wednesday when motorcycle-riding men fired a rifle grenade at the United Church of Christ in Pikit town, police chief Mautin Pangandigan said.

He said the blast occurred when the church service was winding down, and the fatalities included a teacher and a nurse of a nearby town, who were seated at the rear portion of the chapel, Xinhua reported.

"Two suspects were seen fleeing after the explosion on a motorbike," said Pangandigan.

Local officials condemned the attack, as security was beefed up amid the visit of Vice President Jejomar Binay to Mindanao region Thursday.

Muslim separatists and leftist rebels are known to operate in the province, carrying out attacks in the past against government and civilian targets, but rarely against churches.