Three killed, five injured in Swat bomb blast

ISLAMABAD - At least three persons were killed and five others sustained serious injuries in a bomb blast in a commercial area in the Swat valley’s Mingora area on Saturday.

The blast, which occurred in a market area situated near Sohrab Khan Chowk in Mingora, has raised fears regarding the Taliban regrouping after being flushed out of the region by the Pakistan Army months ago.

The injured have been admitted to Saidu Sharif Hospital, The News reports.

Television images showed huge plumes of smoke billowing from the explosion site. The nature of the blast could not confirmed till reports were filed, but security officials hinted that it might have been a suicide attack.

Sources said that the explosive device was planted in the shopping complex.

The region, which was once a tourism hub, has witnessed an increase in violence with several people being killed in the past few days.

At least three local leaders have killed in targeted attacks in last ten days in the region.

Earlier, security officials arrested a suicide bomber from the Green Chawk area, situated near to the area where the blast occurred.

Sources said officials had received an input regarding the presence of two suicide bombers in the region. One was apprehended, and it is believed that the blast was triggered by he bomber who had managed to escape. (ANI)