JAN 21, (DNA) -Saturday when a powerful explosion ripped through a crowded marketplace in the northwestern city of Parachinar in Kurram tribal agency, officials said.

The political administration in Kurram tribal agency confirmed the death toll and said the injured were shifted to the agency headquarters hospital, where there is shortage of doctors and medical facilities. At least 10 patients were said to be in critical condition.

The explosion occurred early morning around 8:50AM at the city’s Eidgah market, where a large number of people were shopping for fruit and vegetable.

Meanwhile, the Inter-Services Public Relations, the military’s media wing, said six people had been killed while 20 were injured in the blast, which it said was carried out through an improvised explosive device (IED).

“Army and FC Quick Reaction Force reached at incident site and cordoned off the area. Army helicopters flown for medical evacuation of injured to hospitals,” said the ISPR.

Parachinar is the administrative headquarters of Kurram agency and is located close to the Afghan border. The agency is considered one of the most sensitive tribal regions as it borders three Afghan provinces and was once the main route for cross-border militant activity.

Parachinar has suffered terrorist attacks in the past as well. This is the fourth blast of its kind at the city’s Eidgah market.

A similar blast at the Eidgah Market in December 2015, killed 25 people and injured 70 others.