10 killed in blast in Pakistan's Peshawar: official

PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- At least 10 people were killed Sunday in a blast in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar, officials said.

Information Minister of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) Mian Iftikhar Hussain told reporters that it was a suicide attack, which also injured some 20 others.

Hussain said that the government will not allow the terrorists to accomplish their evil designs. He said in future foolproof security arrangements would be made in Peshawar.

The blast occurred in a livestock market in Adizai on the outskirts of Peshawar. Local Mayor Abdul Malik and his nephew were among the killed.

Malik, who is leader of local anti-Taliban lashkar, or militia, was repeatedly ambushed in the past but no attempt proved successful.

The injured have been rushed to local hospitals. Relief activities have been started and roads leading to the blast site were sealed off by police.

Peshawar, the capital of North West Frontier Province has recently seen series of attacks. Last month four bomb blasts killed over 200 people.

The bomb blasts have increased since the security forces have launched military operation in South Waziristan tribal region against Taliban on Oct. 17.

In the capital of Islamabad, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minster Yousuf Raza Gillani have strongly condemned the blast.

In a message, Gilani said that those involved in such attacks were enemies of the state and would be brought to justice.

He said that the government was responsible for protecting the lives and property of the masses and would not allow occurrence of such incidents that disrupt peace in the country.