Pakistan explosion

Eleven reported dead in Punjab blast

Article published on the 2009-07-13 Latest update 2009-07-13 11:47 TU

Police in Karachi show off weapons and alleged Taliban seized during a raid in the city on Sunday - they claim the men have close ties to Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud
(Photo: Reuters)

An explosion at a Muslim cleric's house in Pakistan"s Punjab province has cost eleven lives and destroyed about 25 homes, according to local press reports. At least seven of the dead are children, who had reportedly gathered for religious education.

The death toll in the village of Mian Channu has reached 11, hospital sources told The News newspaper. Dozens more were injured and rescue workers sifted through the rubble to find more victims.

The blast was so powerful that it made a crater in the village, flattening about 25 houses, according to police.

The explosion seems to have been from the accidental detonation of weapons or explosives in the home of the Muslim cleric, whose name is Hafiz Riaz, according to The News.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has condemned the blast and ordered an enquiry. Provincial government minister Rana Sanaullah also said an investigation is under way.

He told Geo TV that the house was not formally a madrassa but that children received Koranic education there.

Meanwhile, the government on Monday started returning Swat valley refugees to their homes. Buses and lorries have been laid on to take about 120 families back from Jalozai Camp, in which about 4,000 families took refuge from the anti-Taliban offensive which is now coming to an end.