PARACHINAR: Eight passengers were killed and seven others injured when a bomb blast ripped through a pick-up in Khumsa area of central Kurram Agency on Tuesday.

The pickup was going to Sadda in Lower Kurram from Para Chamkani in Upper Kurram. When it reached Khumsa area an improvised explosive device planted by unidentified men along the road went off. Four people died and 11 others suffered injuries and the vehicle was destroyed by the impact of the blast.

The injured, among them women and children, were taken to a Parachinar hospital where four of them died.

Political Agent Riaz Mehsud said several tribesmen had been arrested, their shops closed and vehicles impounded under the collective responsibility clause of the Frontier Crimes Regulation.

He said the administration had announced Rs300,000 to be paid to the family of each deceased in compensation and Rs100,000 for each injured. No group claimed responsibility for the attack.

Published in Dawn, June 4th, 2014