Blast targets cyber cafe in NWFP capital,11 killed

A powerful bomb targeting a cyber cafe in a busy commercial area of Peshawar in NWFP went off,killing at least 11 people and injuring 32 others.

A powerful bomb targeting a cyber cafe in a busy commercial area of Peshawar in NWFP went off on Saturday,killing at least 11 people,including four children and two women,and injuring 32 others.

A high intensity explosive device hidden in a car parked in the old quarters of the northwestern city exploded when the area was crowded with people. A school bus carrying 15 children was among a dozen vehicles hit by the blast.

Police officials said a cyber cafe was the target of the blast as its owner had received a letter from pro-Taliban militants warning him to close down the establishment. The car,which was packed with about 40 to 50 kg of explosives,was parked outside the cyber cafe at the time of the blast.

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Local residents said the owner of the cyber cafe had not taken the letter seriously.

No group claimed responsibility for the blast,which caused panic in the city. The blast also triggered a fire that destroyed many cars and shops.

Pro-Taliban militants have threatened to carry out suicide attacks in retaliation of the ongoing army operations in Swat and Buner and the drone attacks in the tribal areas.

Three persons were arrested immediately after the blast and taken by police to an undisclosed location for questioning.