Explosion in Peshawar marketplace, 11 injured

Explosion takes place near Malik Taj market in Jamrud area when car bomb goes off.

PESHAWAR: An explosion occurred in the Karkhano market area of Peshawar on Wednesday, leaving  11 people injured.

Senior Superintendent of Peshawar police Saeed said two men are in critical condition, but did not confirm any deaths.

"It seems the target was Malik Taj," police officer Tahir Ayub told AFP.

"The bomb was apparently planted in a car which was totally destroyed," Shah told AFP from the scene.

Initial reports from the police suggest that the explosion took place when a remote-controlled bomb was detonated near the Malik Taj market located near the tribal region of Jamrud. Authorities have confirmed that the owner of the market was injured in the attack.

The injured persons have been rushed to a nearby hospital and police have cordoned off the area.

The state television reported that the blast took place near the car of Malik Taj.

This area has been targeted by militants in the past when Nato tankers have been set on fire. Shops in the area have also been targeted when Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) have been placed and detonated. There is also a police checkpost in the area, which is a sensitive target for militants.

The market is usually crowded with people who visit the area to shop for daily commodities.

Last week, there was a string of minor explosions in various commercial areas in Peshawar on separate days which left dozens of people injured.

The bomb attacks contradict city police chief Imtiaz Altaf’s assertions that the law and order situation in the city had been brought under control.