Six killed in Pakistan blast

At least six people, including two children, were killed and 20 others injured when a blast hit a Muharram procession in Pakistan's northwest district of Dera Ismail Khan yesterday morning.

"The bomb, which contained around eight to 10 kg of explosives and was placed inside a pressure cooker, was detonated by a remote control device," police said.

Four people were killed on the spot and two died at hospital when the explosion hit the Shia procession, according to Qazi Jamil-ur-Rehman, deputy inspector general police, Dera Ismail Khan. "Two children died in the blast," he said, adding that four out of the 20 injured are in critical condition.

The blast took place around 9.55 am yesterday when a bomb hidden under a garbage heap in the suburban Thoya Fazil area of the district hit a small group of some 30 Shia Muslims passing by on the way to mark the ninth day of Muharram - the first month of the Islamic calendar year.

Following the blast, the army has been called in to maintain order in the district and a suspect has reportedly been arrested. u00a0