Bomb Blast Hits Market In Northwest Pakistan, Killing 26

Bomb blast hits market in northwest Pakistan, killing 26 < br />

2012-06-18 06:47:18 GMT+7 (ICT)

PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN (BNO NEWS) -- At least 26 people were killed on Saturday when a bomb planted in a pickup truck exploded at a market in northwest Pakistan, local authorities said on Sunday. More than 60 others were injured in one of the worst attacks in weeks.

The attack took place in the town of Landi Kotal, located in Khyber Agency about 5.7 kilometers (3.5 miles) from the border with Afghanistan, when the explosive device went off near a public bus stand at the town's main market. It also happened near the office of Amman Laskher, a tribal leader allied with the government against the Pakistani Taliban.

Medical sources said at least 26 people were killed in the blast while 65 others were wounded, but Amman Laskher was not believed to be among the casualties. Most of the victims appeared to be fruit and vegetable vendors, although scores of civilians were also among the casualties.

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani both condemned the attack and expressed their condolences to the families of the victims. "They prayed for the departed souls to rest in peace. They directed best possible treatment for the injured," the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said in a brief report.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but Saturday's attack was one of the worst in Pakistan in recent weeks.

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