Bomb blast at multimedia market kills five in northwest Pakistan

Bomb blast at multimedia market kills five in northwest Pakistan

2011-09-20 13:21:56 GMT+7 (ICT)

PESHAWAR (BNO NEWS) -- At least five people were killed on Monday and more than two dozen were injured after a blast at a multimedia market in Pakistan's northwest city of Peshawar, local media reported.

The Express Tribune reported that the blast took place at a computer discs and DVD market, causing a fire to erupt at the market, destroying 20 shops and a number of vehicles. At least five people were killed and 25 others injured, including five women and three children who were in critical condition.

Bashir Bilour, a provincial government minister, said that they had received letters warning of attacks on music stores and that the government had beefed up security around the area. The bomb, which was attached to a motorbike, was detonated with a remote controller.  

Police cordoned off the blast site as an investigation continues, but no group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

The Taliban have been known to attack CD markets in the past. In 2005, the Taliban frequently sent warning letters to store owners and even blew those stores up when they did not comply with their demands.

Earlier on Monday, at least eight people were killed after a suicide attack targeting a senior police official in the southern port city of Karachi. An explosive-laden car was driven into a senior police officer's house, killing six police officers and a mother and a child.

The Tehreek Taliban Pakistan, considered the country's Taliban, claimed responsibility for the attack through its spokesman, adding that further attacks would continue against those carrying out anti-Taliban campaigns.

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