Market blast in Pakistan`s Islamabad kills 23, explosives kept in fruit boxes

At least 23 people were killed and more injured when explosives were detonated in a vegetable market area of Islamabad on Wednesday morning.

Zee Media Bureau/Supriya Jha Islamabad: At least 23 people were killed and more injured when explosives were detonated in a fruits and vegetable market area of Islamabad on Wednesday morning. According to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, 23 dead bodies have been received and dozens are said to be wounded, said reports.

The blast took place in Sabzi Mandi area in Islamabad`s I-11 sector, behind the Metro Shopping center by explosives that are believed to have been planted in fruit boxes brought from the Punjab province, reported the DawnNews of Pakistan. The blast occurred in the busy morning hour when the market was full of fruit shoppers. The site was immediately cordoned off and ambulances and rescue officials rushed to the area. The police have also recovered a remote controlled bomb containing five kilograms of explosives. The report adds that police believe it to be an act of terrorism. The attack comes just a day before the April 10 ceasefire announced by Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). So far, no one has claimed responsibility for the attack but Taliban has been waging violence since 2007 and thousands have been killed in such attacks across the country. The Nawaz Sharif-government is in talks with the Taliban to put an end to the violence being unleashed in the country for a decade now.