The blast was near a busy market and more than 100 people were hurt [EPA]

Officials and police said Friday's deadly attack, the second in Peshawar in two weeks, was in the old part of the city in the Khyber Bazaar famous for its handicrafts.

Syed Zahir Shah, the provincial health minister, said: "At least 42 people were killed and more than 100 injured."

Mehboob Ali, a doctor at a local hospital, confirmed the toll and put  the number of wounded at 103. The injured included women and children, he said.

Tahir Ali Shah, a resident of Peshawar, the capital of North-West Frontier Province, said: "I can see the burnt vehicle and people are removing the dead from it."

Zahir Shah Sheraz, a Pakistani journalist in Peshawar, said that the officials he had spoken to had confirmed that it was a car bomb and that the possibility of a suicide attack could not be ruled out.

No responsibility claim

Television footage showed the charred skeleton of what appeared to be a bus flipped on its side in the middle of the main road.

Twisted remains of a motorbike lay alongside the bus and a nearby vehicle was in flames.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but previous attacks have been blamed on the al-Qaeda-linked Pakistani Taliban.

Security forces have made gains this year against Pakistani Taliban fighters who have set off bombs in towns and cities.

The targets have been mostly security forces and foreigners.

Pakistan's military has indicated that it is readying for a major offensive in the tribal agency of South Waziristan against Taliban fighters. The operation could start as early as Monday.

Recommend this article...

Did you enjoy this article? Please bookmark it onto:

Be first to comment this article

Write Comment

Please keep the topic of messages relevant to the subject of the article. Personal verbal attacks will be deleted. Please don't use comments to plug your web site. Such material will be removed. Just ensure to *Refresh* your browser for a new security code to be displayed prior to clicking on the 'Send' button. Keep in mind that the above process only applies if you simply entered the wrong security code.
Name:
E-mail
Homepage
Title:
BBCode:
Comment:
Code:*
	I wish to be contacted by email regarding additional comments

Powered by AkoComment Tweaked Special Edition v.1.4.4