DHAKA: At least eight people were killed and many feared injured in a bomb blast near the RA Bazaar in Rawalpindi on Monday, DawnNews reported.

The site of the 10 kilogram bomb explosion also lies near the General Headquarters of the Pakistani military.

The injured were being taken to nearby hospitals and most of them were said to be in a serious condition.

Also, the injured included mostly civil staff of security agencies and school going children, and parents rushed to the schools near the site of the blast to inquire about their safety.

Security forces had cordoned off the location of the blast and started rescue operations.

The R.A. Bazaar being situated near the GHQ is considered as a highly sensitive area.

According to initial reports, it was suspected that the blast could have been a suicide attack.

The Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the bombing.

The blast occurred one day after an attack on a convoy of security forces near the Cantt area in Bannu district, which killed 20 people and injured 30.

Source: Dawn
BDST: 1145 HRS, JAN 20, 2014
SR