Asia-Pacific

8 killed, 20 injured in shrine blast in Pakistan

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-10-25 11:16

ISLAMABAD - At least eight people were killed and 20 others were injured as a blast hit a shrine in Pakpattan, a city in Pakistan's Punjab province, early Monday morning, local media reported.

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According to the report, the blast took place at about 06:34 am local time when a motorcycle planted bomb exploded at the eastern gate of the shrine of Baba Farid in the city which is located in the eastern part of Punjab.

Many people were inside the shrine praying while the blast took place, said the report, adding that an unknown man run away after he parked a motorcycle carrying a bomb on it.

Police have cordoned off the area and rescue workers have rushed the injured people to nearby hospital. Hospital sources said that many people were critically injured and the death toll could further rise.

No group has claimed the responsibility for the blast yet.

Monday's blast is the third attack on a shrine in Pakistan over the past four months or so. The first is in Lahore and the second in Karachi.