22 killed, 47 injured in Swat bomb blast

Police earlier stated it was a cylinder blast, but later confirmed it was a bomb.


Reuters/fazal Khaliq/web Desk January 10, 2013
Inside the Tableeghi Markaz, the site of the blast which killed 19 people. PHOTO: FAZAL KHALIQ/EXPRESS

SWAT: At least 22 people were killed and 47 injured in a blast in the Mingora city of Swat district on Thursday, confirmed officials at Saidu Sharif Hospital.

The explosion took place at the main Tableeghi Markaz (preaching centre) located on the Takht Band Road.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) spokesperson and police termed the blast as a gas cylinder explosion.

According to eyewitnesses, people were getting ready for their preaching session when a gas cylinder in the kitchen of the Markaz exploded. Additional eyewitness say it may have been a suicide blast.

“After the explosion, people started running frantically while some ran to the spot of the explosion to rush the injured to the hospital,” a person told The Express Tribune.

Police initially said the blast was caused by an exploding gas cylinder but later police chief Akhtar Hayat confirmed it was a bomb.

Rahman Ali, a medical practitioner in Saidu Group of Hospitals, said that more than 50 injured people were brought to the hospital where 10 critically injured succumbed to their injuries.

COMMENTS (36)

javaid bashir | 11 years ago | Reply

Todays killins in Swat are deplrable and shameful for every one in Pakistan Innocent people are killed all over Pakistan ever day We condenb the incident and forget it then aggaain we hear or read the news of next blast some wher, more people killed, condoled and forgotten This is aa vicioous circlle that ggoes on, Who will stop thhese blast and sicide bombers and killings.dues any pne has answer to this dilemma Let us get toggether and device some plan to combat this dangerous trend and terrorist attacks Javaid Bashir

BILL-usa | 11 years ago | Reply

Drones sound good now?

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