This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/10/world/asia/powerful-blast-at-market-in-pakistan.html

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Blast at Market in Pakistani Capital Kills at Least 20 Blast at Market in Pakistani Capital Kills at Least 20
(about 5 hours later)
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — A powerful explosion ripped through a crowded wholesale fruit market in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, on Wednesday morning, killing at least 20 people and injuring at least 50 more, according to hospital and police officials. The death toll is expected to rise. ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — A powerful explosion ripped through a crowded wholesale fruit market in the Pakistani capital on Wednesday morning, killing at least 20 people and injuring at least 50 more, according to hospital and police officials. The death toll is expected to rise.
There was no claim of responsibility, and the Pakistani Taliban, who have announced a cease-fire until Thursday as they hold peace talks with the government, denied any involvement.There was no claim of responsibility, and the Pakistani Taliban, who have announced a cease-fire until Thursday as they hold peace talks with the government, denied any involvement.
The explosion occurred at 8:05 a.m. in a busy wholesale fruit and vegetable market on the outskirts of Islamabad. The powerful blast was heard for miles and caused panic in the city as word of it spread during the morning rush hour. The explosion occurred at 8:05 a.m. in a busy fruit and vegetable market on the outskirts of Islamabad. The powerful blast was heard for miles and caused panic in the city as word of it spread during the morning rush hour.
The market is in a vast open area where vendors and buyers gather early in the morning to buy produce in bulk. Security is ordinarily lax, and most of the trucks and crates of fruits and vegetables are delivered to the market without undergoing any inspections. The market is in a vast open area where vendors and buyers gather early in the morning to buy produce in bulk. Security is ordinarily lax, and most of the trucks and crates of fruits and vegetables that arrive at the market do not undergo any inspections.
Police officials said that an initial investigation determined that the explosives were placed in cartons of guava and were detonated by a remote-controlled device. Police officials said that an initial investigation had determined that the explosives were placed in cartons of guava and were detonated by a remote-controlled device.
The explosion left charred debris and pools of blood around the market. Nine people were listed in critical condition at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, according to Dr. Ayesha Isani, the hospital spokeswoman. Several other victims were taken to hospitals in neighboring Rawalpindi.The explosion left charred debris and pools of blood around the market. Nine people were listed in critical condition at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, according to Dr. Ayesha Isani, the hospital spokeswoman. Several other victims were taken to hospitals in neighboring Rawalpindi.
Taliban officials condemned the attack.Taliban officials condemned the attack.
“Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan strongly condemns Sibi Railway Station and fruit market blasts,” Shahidullah Shahid, the Taliban spokesman, said in a statement released to the news media, referring to both Wednesday’s blast and an explosion at a railway station in southwestern Pakistan that killed at least 17 people on Tuesday. “Attacks on public places and targeting innocent people is regrettable and un-Islamic.”“Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan strongly condemns Sibi Railway Station and fruit market blasts,” Shahidullah Shahid, the Taliban spokesman, said in a statement released to the news media, referring to both Wednesday’s blast and an explosion at a railway station in southwestern Pakistan that killed at least 17 people on Tuesday. “Attacks on public places and targeting innocent people is regrettable and un-Islamic.”
The civilian government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is engaged in a peace dialogue with the Taliban. But the government’s strategy to deal with militants has been met with criticism, and the powerful military and opposition political parties have objected to the government’s negotiating strategy, which they say is fueling perceptions that the government is ceding too much ground to the militants. The civilian government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is engaged in peace talks with the Taliban. But the government’s actions have been met with criticism. The powerful military and the opposition political parties have objected to its negotiating strategy, which they say is fueling perceptions that the government is ceding too much ground to the militants.
Last week, the Interior Ministry announced the release of 19 Taliban prisoners from the Mehsud tribe, which has typically provided leadership and foot soldiers to the Taliban insurgency. Government officials say more prisoners will be freed this week.Last week, the Interior Ministry announced the release of 19 Taliban prisoners from the Mehsud tribe, which has typically provided leadership and foot soldiers to the Taliban insurgency. Government officials say more prisoners will be freed this week.