CHARSADDA, Sept 2: A bank building and several shops were damaged when an explosive device planted in a canister went off in the Omarzai bazaar on Friday, officials said.

They said that police had cordoned off the bazaar after receiving information about the presence of a bomb near the building of a commercial bank.

"As the police started combing the area, the device exploded with a big bang. The bank building and a number of shops were damaged in the blast," they said and added that window panes of nearby houses were also shattered.

The officials said that about half a kilogramme of explosive material was used in the device.

TWO KILLED:

Two young boys were killed in firing incidents in Charsadda district on Friday.

In the first incident, a nine-year-old boy was gunned down after an exchange of hot words between him and his neighbours in Prang area. The victim was identified as Anwar Khan.

Later, the relatives placed the body on the main road and demanded immediate arrest of the culprits.

Anwar's father, Asif Khan, told police that his son was killed by Ali Haider and Farooq of Garhi Shahbaz Khan village after an exchange of harsh words.

The family ended the road blockade after senior police officials assured them of early arrest of the accused.

In another incident, a young boy was killed when he was caught in a crossfire between two groups in the Rajjar area here. The boy was identified as Shah Sawar.

The victim's uncle, Mohammad Sajid, lodged a report with the police, saying that his nephew Shah Sawar was killed after getting caught in the crossfire between Haq Nawaz and Mansoor groups.

The police have started investigation after registering the case.