8 people killed in blast in NW Pakistan

Islamabad, July 26 (Xinhua-ANI): At least eight people including two children were killed and 20 others got injured on Thursday in a bomb blast in Pakistan's northwestern tribal region of Bajaur, local media reported.

According to local media, the blast took place in the main market of the Salarzai area of Bajaur Agency, Pakistan's northwestern restive region bordering Afghanistan.

In the blast, one person was killed on the spot while over two dozen others were injured who were quickly shifted to the Pusht Headquarters Hospital where seven of them succumbed to their injuries.

People were busy with shopping when the blast hit the market with a big bang.

The nature of the blast and its intensity were unknown yet but officials speculated that it was either an improvised explosive device (IED) or a remote-controlled blast.

At least six shops and a couple of vehicles were also destroyed due to the impact of the blast.

Soon after the blast security forces cordoned off the area and started a search operation in the nearby areas to arrest the suspects.

No militant group or organization had claimed responsibility for the blast yet. (Xinhua-ANI)