17 killed in Pakistan blast

ISLAMABAD - A powerful explosion in the family quarters of the police lines in Kohat city in northwestern Pakistan Tuesday killed at least 17 people and injured over 40.

The injured people in the blast in the police lines area, adjacent to the cantonment on Hangu road, include 12 women and four children, Samaa TV reported.

Families of police officials were staying in these quarters and the toll is likely to increase.

Officials have cordoned off the area to start rescue operations.

Eyewitnesses said a vehicle hit a wall of the police quarters that caused the blast.

Kohat Commissioner Khalid Umarzai confirmed the blast but refused to give any details.

“It is the first such incident in eight months in Kohat,” he said.

There was chaos in the area and emergency has been declared in the hospitals.

Shortage of ambulances was making it difficult to take the rescued people from the rubble to hospitals.

A suicide blast targeting a police station in Lakki Marwat killed 19 people including nine policemen and nine school-going children Monday.