KURRAM AGENCY (Pakistan) – At least 20 people were killed while and 30 wounded when a bomb ripped through Parachinar area of Kurram Agency on Sunday.
The death toll is expected to rise after the explosion in market in Parachinar because of high casualty.
The market was filled with a large number of people who were buying second-hand winter clothes. According to details, the explosion occurred at the Eidgah market in Parachinar, the capital of Kurram tribal district.
The bodies and injured persons were rushed to the hospital. A doctor at the district headquarters hospital, where the wounded were taken, told AFP most of the injured were in “critical condition” and said the death toll could increase.
“A bomb disposal squad has reached the spot and are trying to ascertain the nature of the blast,” he added. Amjad Ali Khan, the political administrator of the Kurram district, confirmed the incident and the toll.
A Pakistani government official, Mahtab Hussain, says the bomb exploded as the market in the town of Parachinar was crowded with shoppers.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has condemned the Parachinar blast. In his message, he expressed grief over the loss of life and property and commiserated with the bereaved families. The Prime Minister directed to provide special medical care to the injured. PM Sharif said “our resolve to eradicate the menace of terrorism is getting stronger with the loss of innocent lives and sacrifices of army and law enforcement agencies.” He said this fight is an irreversible process until the terrorism is rooted out from the country.
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar, Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Shahbaz Sharif and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Siraj-ul-Haq has strongly condemned the attack and expressed sympathies with the victims families.
Parachinar is the capital of Kurram tribal region and the largest city of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan. The city has witnessed enough violence from Islamic militants and sectarian conflict during last few years. Pakistan’s military has carried out regular operations in the region to eliminate militants and control sectarian strife.
(This is a developing story and will be updated accordingly.)