AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Karachi (IINA) – At least 24 people died in a bomb blast in northwestern Pakistan Friday that left more than 80 wounded, DPA reported.
The blast occurred at a marketplace in front of a mosque in the Parachinar area of Kurram Agency, which lies near the Afghan border. Jamatul Ahrar, a splinter group of the Pakistani Taliban, claimed responsibility for the attack.
Senator Sajjad Hussain Turi said the perpetrators used a car bomb. He added that it was surprising that a car full of explosives had managed to dodge the tight security in the city.
In January, Parachinar witnessed a similar attack that left at least 25 dead in the center of the city.
The area of Kurram is one of the seven semi-autonomous agencies of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) in northwestern Pakistan.
The area was once a stronghold of the Taliban. The Pakistani army launched several operations in Kurram from 2008 onwards in order to flush the militants out.
Source: International Islamic News Agency