Islamabad: At least 10 people were killed and 40 injured in a car bomb blast that ripped through a market area Monday in Pakistan’s northwest tribal region along the border with Afghanistan, media reports said.
The blast took place in Kashmir Chowk area of Parachinar, around 15 km from the border, in Kurram agency, Geo News reported.
Power supply to the area was cut off and panic gripped the area after the blast, officials said.
Initial reports said it was a suicide bomb blast. But state-run PTV said it was a remote-controlled car bombing. No group claimed responsibility for the attack.
The bomb was attached to a car parked by the roadside near the market, and went off around 2.50 p.m. when a vehicle of the Levies Forces, a paramilitary force, was passing by, Xinhua reported.
It was not known whether any paramilitary personnel were killed or injured.
Police and rescue teams rushed to the site, and a bomb disposal squad searched for other possible explosives.
In a statement issued by his office, President Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned the blast.
