PESHAWAR: In a high-intensity blast atleast 19 people were killed and several injured at Charsadda road on Friday, Aaj news reported.

The blast occurred in the city’s Gulbela area on Charsadda road targeting a bus of government employees.

AIG Bomb Disposal Squad Shafiqat Malik told journalists that the blast occurred in Charsadda-bound near Gul Bala on Charssada-Peshawar Road. It was the explosion of a time bomb planted under the rear seats of the bus.

He said 19 persons, including nine women, were killed on the spot and 42 others injured.

Police said eight bodies and 22 injured were brought to Charssada District Hospital while 11 bodies and many injured were shifted to the Lady Reading Hospital. The condition of several injured was stated to be critical. Emergency was declared in hospitals.

The identity of victims was not immediately ascertained. The residents of Charssada and Peshawar rushed to Lady Reading and DHQ Charssada to enquire about the well-being of their loved ones.

The blast was so powerful that its bang was heard in the radius of five kilometers. According to SP Rural Shafiullah Khan, eight kilogram explosives were  used in the explosion.

The police soon after the blast, cordoned off the area and started investigation.

The bus was completely damaged. Several nearby houses were also damaged.

Meanwhile, Khyber Pakthunkhwa Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain while strongly condemning the blast, termed it a coward act of terrorism, which could not deter government's resolve in the fight against terrorism.

Talking to reporters here, he said that the nation was united in fight against terrorism and the next four months were very critical as terrorists are taking last hiccups. Strong action would be taken whenever and wherever terrorists were found in the country, he added.

The minister said that they were ready for talks if militants accepted the writ of government.