20 killed as blast hits taxi stand in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD - At least 20 people were killed and 40 others injured when a blast hit a taxi stand in Pakistan's northwest tribal area of Khyber Agency on Tuesday morning, reported local state-run TV channel PTV.

The local administrator of Jamrud where the blast took place has confirmed the death of 20 people in the bomb attack.

The killed include three paramilitary soldiers, said local media.

At least seven vehicles at the taxi stand have reportedly been destroyed and a nearby fuel station was also partially damaged.

All the injured have been rushed to three hospitals in the neighboring city of Peshawar.  

Police have cordoned off the blast site. Initial investigation showed it was a remote-control blast.

One local media quoted unidentified sources as saying that someone exploded an explosive-laden vehicle parked in the taxi stand through a remote control device.

The target of the blast is a group of pro-government peace militiamen who were about to leave in a pickup parked near the taxi stand for Zhakha Khel in Tirah Valley of Khyber Agency which borders Afghanistan

Jamrud is a district located to the eastern side of Khyber Agency, which is just some 20 kilometers west of Peshawar.

Both Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani have issued statements condemning the bomb attack.