At least six people were killed and more than 130 injured when a high-intensity bomb tore through a congested residential locality in Dera Ismail Khan on Sunday morning. The explosion occurred when people from the Shia community were proceeding in processions to Chogala (main city centre) for joining the main Ashura procession. It was the second bomb explosion in the city in a span of 24 hours. Another explosion on Saturday had claimed eight lives and injured 30 others. Officials said unidentified miscreants planted around 10 kilogrammes of high intensity explosives inside a shop in Commissionary Bazaar near Chogala. The explosives were detonated remotely when the Shia procession passed through the area. The massive explosion was heard all across the city. Officials said at least five people were killed on the spot and around 136 were injured. A majority of the injured was admitted to Divisional Headquarter Hospital and Combined Military Hospital, but those critical were shifted to hospitals in Multan and Bhakkar. The officials said around 12 shops in the Commissionary Bazaar and several houses in the surrounding areas were damaged in the explosion. Following the incident, contingents of military, paramilitary and police rushed to the site and cordoned off the area. Senior civil and military officials also arrived to supervise rescue activities. Doctors at hospitals confirmed six casualties. An undeclared curfew was imposed in city after the explosion, while security was beefed up around the city for bringing the situation under control.
