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Blasts hit Pakistan garrison town | Blasts hit Pakistan garrison town |
(10 minutes later) | |
At least 24 people have been killed in two bomb blasts near the Pakistani military headquarters in the city of Rawalpindi, the military says. | At least 24 people have been killed in two bomb blasts near the Pakistani military headquarters in the city of Rawalpindi, the military says. |
The first explosion went off on a bus carrying defence employees in the garrison town near Islamabad. | The first explosion went off on a bus carrying defence employees in the garrison town near Islamabad. |
Shortly afterwards, a motorcycle bomb exploded in a market. At least 66 people were wounded in the attacks. | Shortly afterwards, a motorcycle bomb exploded in a market. At least 66 people were wounded in the attacks. |
Attacks by militants have increased since the army stormed the Red Mosque in Islamabad in July. | Attacks by militants have increased since the army stormed the Red Mosque in Islamabad in July. |
It had been occupied by pro-Taleban extremists and at least 100 people were killed during the siege and subsequent military operation. | It had been occupied by pro-Taleban extremists and at least 100 people were killed during the siege and subsequent military operation. |
The BBC's Damian Grammaticas, in Islamabad, these latest attacks will cause particular concern because they have happened in what is a military zone. | |
'Huge bang' | 'Huge bang' |
The first explosion occurred at 0720 (0220 GMT), officials said. | The first explosion occurred at 0720 (0220 GMT), officials said. |
At least 15 defence employees were killed when a bomb tore through their bus near Qasim market in Rawalpindi, news agency AFP quoted unnamed interior ministry officials as saying. | At least 15 defence employees were killed when a bomb tore through their bus near Qasim market in Rawalpindi, news agency AFP quoted unnamed interior ministry officials as saying. |
Eyewitnesses said the bus was completely destroyed by the blast which could be heard across the city. | Eyewitnesses said the bus was completely destroyed by the blast which could be heard across the city. |
"There was a huge bang, then I saw the bus in a mangled heap. Body parts were scattered across the road and there was blood everywhere," witness Mohammad Tahir told AFP. | "There was a huge bang, then I saw the bus in a mangled heap. Body parts were scattered across the road and there was blood everywhere," witness Mohammad Tahir told AFP. |
Television pictures showed rescue workers at the scene, trying to cut open the wreckage to pull out injured people and bodies. | Television pictures showed rescue workers at the scene, trying to cut open the wreckage to pull out injured people and bodies. |
The second blast happened about three kilometres (two miles) away when a suspected motorcycle bomb exploded in the city's RA Bazaar. | The second blast happened about three kilometres (two miles) away when a suspected motorcycle bomb exploded in the city's RA Bazaar. |
"We only know that it was a motorcycle bomb. It exploded with a big bang and killed at least five people," a police official was quoted as saying by the Associated Press. | "We only know that it was a motorcycle bomb. It exploded with a big bang and killed at least five people," a police official was quoted as saying by the Associated Press. |
The army later said a total of at least 24 people had died in the blasts, without specifying tolls for each incident. | The army later said a total of at least 24 people had died in the blasts, without specifying tolls for each incident. |
Military spokesman Maj-Gen Waheed Arshad said authorities were trying to determine which department the people on board the bus worked for. | Military spokesman Maj-Gen Waheed Arshad said authorities were trying to determine which department the people on board the bus worked for. |
"It's terrorism because innocent people were killed in both blasts," Maj-Gen Arshad said. | "It's terrorism because innocent people were killed in both blasts," Maj-Gen Arshad said. |