Bomb explosion kills at least six, injures 40 in Peshawar

Peshawar, Oct 20 (UNI) At least six people were killed and another 40 injured after a bomb explosion took place here this evening, reports said.

The explosion took place a few minutes before Iftar near Jinnah Park in Peshawar, the capital of the NWFP, Pakistan's private Geo TV said.

It quoted provincial police chief Riffat Pasha as saying that it was a locally manufactured bomb, which was planted in a handcart.

The blast took place despite stringent security arrangements made in the province in connection with the Jumatul Wida, the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan.

Chief Minister NWFP Akram Durrani ordered an immediate inquiry into the incident and announced compensation of (Pakistani) rupees 100,000 each for families of those killed in the blast and rupees 50,000 each for those injured.

UNI XC MS BS2100