Six killed, over 40 injured in Pakistan blast

Islamabad: At least six people were killed and 43 injured in a blast in Pakistan’s Multan city on Sunday night, officials said.

The explosion occurred at Vihari Road area of the city in Punjab province, Xinhua quoted Deputy Superintendent Police Zahid Saleem Gondal as saying.

Dawn said the explosion occurred near a packed rickshaw stand.

Multan police official Azhar Akram told Dawn that the explosion occurred after a collision between a rickshaw and a motorcycle. “It seems that the bomb was fitted in the motorcycle,” he said.

Geo TV put the number of dead at seven, and the injured at 50.

Police have recovered ball bearings from the site of the blast, in which many vehicles and shops were destroyed.

The injured people were taken to hospital, while police cordoned off the area for investigation.

The nature and target of the blast have not been determined yet. No group claimed responsibility for the attack.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the attack and directed hospital administration to provide the best possible medical facilities to the injured.

—IANS