15 dead, 100 injured in Pakistan blasts

KABUL’s northwestern Malakand tribal region on Friday, a private TV channel reported.

The explosions shook the mosques in Bar Kalai and Bazdara Bala areas when a large number of people were offering Juma prayers, Geo News said, fearing the death toll could increase.

Malakand Administrator Amjad Ali confirmed the casualties, saying the number of deaths could increase. He said they were still looking into the nature of the explosions.

A curfew was imposed in the area and an emergency declared in Dargai and Mardan hospitals following the near-simultaneous blasts, triggered by remote control.

Since the May general election, which brought former prime minister Nawaz Sharif back to power, Friday’s assault was the deadliest in the neighbouring country.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the twin blasts, which came hours after the killing of two security personnel in a gun attack by the Taliban on the outskirts of Peshawar late on Thursday night.  

PAN monitor/mud

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