A car bomb explosion outside an Imambargah near Peshawar's historic Qisakhwani Bazaar killed at least 22 people and injured more than 90 on Friday. Imambargah Alamdar Karbala and several adjacent buildings in the Kocha Risaldar alley were damaged and the ensuing fire engulfed buildings, markets and vehicles. The powerful explosion also damaged electricity wires, plunging the area into darkness. Police and rescue workers searched for survivors in the dark, and firefighters were impeded by broken glass and debris that blocked the narrow alleys.
Rasul Khan, staying in the nearby Pak Hotel, was injured when the windowpanes of his room shattered because of the impact of the explosion. He told reporters at hospital he and others were stranded for hours as part of the hotel caught fire. He was rescued after the fire was put out.
Peshawar Police chief Sawfat Ghayoor confirmed 18 deaths and said he could not confirm if it was a car bomb after investigations were complete. Police's first priority is to rescue the injured and put out the fire, he said. "The terrorists are changing their tactics, but the police will also use new techniques to counter them," Ghayoor said while talking to reporters.
NWFP Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain told Daily Times that about 20 to 25 kilogrammes of explosives were used in the blast, which he said did not appear to be a suicide bombing. The explosion created a five feet deep crater.
The site of the bombing is one of the busiest markets in the city, with hundreds of shops in markets that sprawl a labyrinth of narrow alleys. The market was packed with Eid shoppers.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani condemned the bombing in a statement released later on Friday, expressing "deep shock and anguish" over the "cowardly act".
"Anti-state elements" wanted to create law and order problems in Pakistan, he said, "to impede the flow of investment in the country and derail the ongoing development activities".
In a separate message, President Asif Zardari said the perpetrators of "such a heinous act" would be brought to justice. He said the government was committed to fighting terrorism and extremism and said such attacks "will not dent the government's resolve to root out this menace". He condoled with the families of the victims.