PESHAWAR, Pakistan, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- Dozens of people were killed and many others injured in two bomb blasts in northwest Pakistan's tribal area on Thursday.
At least 30 people were killed and 100 others injured in a suicide attack in Tirah valley of Khyber Agency tribal area, source told Xinhua.
The blast occurred near a mosque which is said to be a center of the banned Lashkar-e-Islam, a militant group in Khyber Agency. An important militant leader of the group has reportedly been killed in the blast.
Official sources said that the blast occurred when more than 150 people gathered to offer prayer in the mosque, which was damaged heavily in the blast. Death toll is feared to rise.
Sources said that two local militant groups Lashkar-e-Islam and Ansar-ul-Islam are actively involved in terror incidents in Khyber agency. They have also been engaged in targeting each others' members.
Sources said that the blast appeared to be related to rivalry between the two militant factions.
Locals are busy in rescue work and the injured have been taken to hospital.
Meanwhile, a bomb blast at a cattle market killed at least 26 people and wounded dozens of others in Pakistan's Orakzai tribal region where many Taliban militants are believed to hide, officials said.
Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani strongly condemned the bomb blasts. He deplored the loss of lives and directed the authorities to immediately provide best medical facilities to the injured. He also ordered an inquiry into the incidents.
Xinhua News
