Peshawar Bomb Blast Kills 25, Injures 90

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PESHAWAR: At least 25 people were killed and and 90 others injured when a powerful blast blew up near Namak Mandi Chawk of Saddar area here, on Friday.

Hospital sources said at least 21 people have lost their lives in the blast.

The blast was so powerful that the power went off in the area and the whole area including Kissa Khawni bazaar plunged into darkness. The relief operation was kick-started with people holding candles, lanterns and emergency lights.

Police sources confirmed at least ten deaths in the blast. Talking to a local news channel, IG NWFP Police Malik Naveed Khan confirmed ten deaths, adding that the bomb was 20 to 30 kilogram.

IG police said that the blast occurred near an imam bargah. He also denied that the blast was a suicide blast.

According to a witness, the blast was so powerful that it was heard in the whole city.

The blast occurred outside an imam bargah in Koocha Risaldar, causing the windowpanes of nearby building to break down. Also, some shops of plastic bags, warehouses and godowns caught fire. Some more vehicles of Fire Brigade Squad have been called, as the fire is still raging around the blast site. Three vehicles are busy here to extinguish the blaze.

The sources said the the severity of blast caused the gas pipeline to go off, breaking out a huge fire that engulfed the timbers and other goods in the shops.

It should be mentioned that several people lost their lives in a blast in past also in the sacred month of Moharramul Haram.

The blast ripped through the area at a time when it is usually very crowded, as it is one of the busiest area of the city. The area is said to be one of the business hub of the city.

Bomb Disposal Squad said that the explosive material was placed in a vehicle.

The contingents of police arrived on the spot and put a security cordon around the blast site. All the injured have been shifted to Lady Reading Hospital.

DCO Peshawar said the emergency has been declared in all the hospitals.

According to Edhi sources, at least ten people were killed and they have transported 80 injured people. The injured include children and women.

Edhi sources said at least four children and five women are among the deceased.

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