At least 18 killed and 51 wounded as bomb explodes in Parachinar, close to border with Afghanistan

At least 18 people have been killed and 51 wounded after a bomb exploded in a busy market town close to Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan.

Sabir Hussain, a doctor at the main hospital in Parachinar, said 11 critically wounded people who were brought in from blast site died while being treated. He said several of the wounded were in serious condition and were being transferred to other hospitals for better care.

Shahid Khan, an assistant tribal administrator, said the explosion took place when the market was crowded with retailers buying fruits and vegetables from a wholesale shop. He said the attack was being investigated. No group immediately claimed responsibility.

Khan said some of the wounded would be airlifted to hospitals in Peshawar, the capital of north-western Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Hospitals in tribal regions and rural areas of Pakistan typically are not equipped to handle such emergencies.

Ashiq Hussain, who was lightly wounded and was being treated in Parachinar hospital, said he was among the people purchasing fruit and vegetables loaded on a van when the explosion took place. “There was big bang and dark cloud of smoke and dust I saw before passing out.”

Hussain said he saw bleeding bodies, severed limbs and heard cries when he came back to his senses. “I was just bleeding from my leg,” he said. “Thank God I am alive.”

Parachinar is the capital of Kurram tribal region, which has been the scene of increased militant activities in recent years. The army carried out a massive operation against militants there but they still have the capacity to strike.



The attack took place in a predominantly Shia Muslim area where there have been previous attacks targeting Shias, who are a minority in Pakistan. The Kurram tribal region has a large Shia population that has been attacked in the past by Sunni extremist militants who have hideouts there.

Faqir Hussain, a Shia leader, said all of the bodies had been brought to a Shia mosque.