23 killed, 100 injured in blast near Islamabad

At least 23 people were killed and over 100 others injured on Wednesday in a bomb blast that ripped through a bustling fruit market on the outskirts of the Pakistani capital. The blast occurred in the fruit market in Sector I-11 of the capital, bordering the garrison city of Rawalpindi. No group has claimed responsibility for the blast.

According to initial information, a 4-5 kg bomb was planted in a crate of guava that was brought to the market. The bomb went off as people gathered to take part in the auction of the fruits that are done every day.

Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences Vice Chancellor Javed Akram confirmed the death toll. He said that 31 people were still under treatment at the hospital, adding that most of the wounded were adult men.

"We have 20 bodies and three more bodies are in Holy Family Hospital. We currently have 54 injured out of which some are in very critical condition," Akram told PTI.

Around 16 injured were also taken to a hospital in Rawalpindi. Emergency has been declared at both hospitals. Security officials and the police have cordoned off the area and the bomb disposal squad is combing the area for other explosive devices.

"Around 1,500-2,000 people were at the market at the time of the blast," Inspector General of Police, Islamabad, Khalid Khattak told mediapersons at the blast site.

The blast comes a month after the deadly terror attack on a court premises in the federal capital. The attack comes even as the government and the banned Taliban are in talks with each other to end the cycle of violence that has engulfed the country over the past one decade. The Taliban has announced a ceasefire till April 10.

The attack occurred just prior to the Army's Corps Commanders' Conference scheduled for Wednesday.

Image for representation only.