Peshawar: At least nine persons, including two children, were killed and nearly 70 injured in a major blast at a proselytising centre in Pakistan's restive northwest today.
The explosion ripped through the “Tableeghi Markaz” in Bashirabad area of Peshawar district when worshippers were offering evening prayers, police said.
Nine persons, including two children, were killed and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Health Minister Shoukat Yousufzai said the death toll could rise.
Rescue workers said children were also among the injured. The condition of seven of the 67 injured was described as critical by Yousufzai.
Hundreds of people were present at the centre run by a Sunni group at the time of the blast.
Bomb Disposal Squad chief Shafqat Malik said an estimated 5 kg of explosives hidden in a ghee container was used in the attack.
No group claimed responsibility for the blast.
