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Deadly bombing in Pakistan town | Deadly bombing in Pakistan town |
(10 minutes later) | |
At least 22 people have been killed in a bomb attack in a market in central Pakistan, officials say. | |
About 50 others were wounded in the blast in Dera Ghazi Khan, which badly damaged a number of buildings. | About 50 others were wounded in the blast in Dera Ghazi Khan, which badly damaged a number of buildings. |
TV footage showed rescuers struggling to reach people trapped in debris. Officials say the target may have been a provincial official, who was unhurt. | TV footage showed rescuers struggling to reach people trapped in debris. Officials say the target may have been a provincial official, who was unhurt. |
Pakistan has recently been hit by a string of attacks that have left hundreds of people dead or injured. | Pakistan has recently been hit by a string of attacks that have left hundreds of people dead or injured. |
The market has collapsed Raza KhanResident In pictures: Market bomb | The market has collapsed Raza KhanResident In pictures: Market bomb |
The BBC's Aleem Maqbool in Islamabad says Dera Ghazi Khan lies close to the region where Pakistan's army is carrying out an offensive against the Taliban. | The BBC's Aleem Maqbool in Islamabad says Dera Ghazi Khan lies close to the region where Pakistan's army is carrying out an offensive against the Taliban. |
The government has said that that operation has gone well but many Pakistanis fear the militants have simply escaped to neighbouring towns and cities like Dera Ghazi Khan, where they will continue to cause chaos. | The government has said that that operation has gone well but many Pakistanis fear the militants have simply escaped to neighbouring towns and cities like Dera Ghazi Khan, where they will continue to cause chaos. |
Police believe Tuesday's blast was caused by a car bomb. | Police believe Tuesday's blast was caused by a car bomb. |
"The whole market has collapsed," Raza Khan, a local resident, told the Associated Press news agency. "There is smoke and people running here and there." | "The whole market has collapsed," Raza Khan, a local resident, told the Associated Press news agency. "There is smoke and people running here and there." |
Heavy machinery, including cranes and bulldozers, are being used to move large chunks of concrete from the scene of the blast, amid fears that people may be trapped underneath. | Heavy machinery, including cranes and bulldozers, are being used to move large chunks of concrete from the scene of the blast, amid fears that people may be trapped underneath. |
An emergency has been declared at all local hospitals. | An emergency has been declared at all local hospitals. |
District health officer Dr Pervez Haider Altaf told AFP news agency that people were frantically searching for survivors. | District health officer Dr Pervez Haider Altaf told AFP news agency that people were frantically searching for survivors. |
"The hospital in the town has been crowded by people looking for their relatives. Rescue efforts are still going on," he said. | "The hospital in the town has been crowded by people looking for their relatives. Rescue efforts are still going on," he said. |
Dera Ghazi Khan deputy police inspector Gen Mubarak Ali Athar, visiting the site, said it may have been a suicide attack. | Dera Ghazi Khan deputy police inspector Gen Mubarak Ali Athar, visiting the site, said it may have been a suicide attack. |
The house of a senior provincial government adviser, Zulfiqar Khosa, was damaged in the blast but he was not among the injured, officials said. | The house of a senior provincial government adviser, Zulfiqar Khosa, was damaged in the blast but he was not among the injured, officials said. |
Our correspondent says Mr Khosa recently presided over a meeting of religious leaders that had declared suicide-bombing un-Islamic. | Our correspondent says Mr Khosa recently presided over a meeting of religious leaders that had declared suicide-bombing un-Islamic. |
Mr Khosa's son, Dost Mohammad Khosa, told AP the bombing was "a direct attack on us" and that two of his cousins were injured. | Mr Khosa's son, Dost Mohammad Khosa, told AP the bombing was "a direct attack on us" and that two of his cousins were injured. |
RECENT MILITANT ATTACKS IN PAKISTAN Dera Ghazi Khan, 15 December: At least 22 killed in bomb attack on marketMultan, 8 December: Intelligence agency office attacked - at least 12 killedPeshawar: Many recent attacks - 28 October bombing killed about 120Lahore: Targeted several times - market bombs killed 50 on 7 DecemberRawalpindi: Several recent attacks, including one at a mosque on 4 December in which 35 diedIslamabad: Security tightened after series of attacks - 20 October bombing killed nine at International Islamic UniversityCharsadda, 10 November: Car bomb kills 34 and wounds 100 |