Bomb blast in market kills 6, injures 20 in Pakistani tribal region near Afghan border

ISLAMABAD – A Pakistani government official says a bomb explosion in a market has killed at least 6 and injured 20 others near the Afghan border.

Mahtab Hussain says the bomb exploded as the market in the town of Parachinar was crowded with shoppers. Parachinar is the main town in the Kurram tribal region, which has been a scene of violence from Islamic militants and sectarian conflict between Sunni and Shiite Muslims. Suicide attacks and planted bomb explosions have killed scores in the Kurram region.

Pakistan's military has carried out regular operations in the region to eliminate militants and control sectarian strife.