At least nine people were killed and more than 20 injured in a high-intensity bomb explosion in Pashat Bazaar of Salarzai tehsil of Bajaur Agency on Thursday. Official in Khar, headquarters of Bajaur, said the high-intensity bomb exploded when a large number of people were busy shopping at the Pashat bazaar. Pashat is the main town of Salarzai tehsil, bordering the Kunar province of Afghanistan. The explosion led to the destruction of five shops and a number of vehicles. The officials said a number of people were killed on the spot, while around 21 injured people were admitted to the agency headquarter hospital in Khar. No one has claimed responsibility for the bomb blast, but locals and officials believed the Taliban could be behind the attack. Tribesmen in Salarzai had already constituted a traditional peace lashkar against the militants. Taliban sheltering in the border regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan are involved in deadly attacks on security forces and pro-government tribesmen in both Bajaur Agency and Upper Dir
district.