Srinagar: At least 20 people were killed and over 50 others injured today in a powerful blast at a crowded vegetable market in northwest Pakistan’s restive Kurram Agency, officials told a news agency. The blast took place at the crowded Sabzi Mandi inside Eidgah Bazaar in Parachinar, the administrative headquarters of the agency near the Afghan border, the report said. Initial report suggests that explosives kept in a vegetable crate exploded during an auction of the vegetables, killing 20 people and wounding 50 others, officials told the news agency.

The injured were shifted to Parachinar headquarters hospital where there is a shortage of doctors and medical facilities, the report added. A statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the improvised explosive device (IED) blast took place at 08:50 AM in vegetable market, the report said.

“Army and FC Quick Response officials have reached the blast site and cordoned off the area. Army helicopters have been flown in for medical evacuation of the injured,” the report quoted the ISPR statement.