ISLAMABAD, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Two policemen were killed and 32 others, including five policemen and 27 civilians, were injured in an explosion in Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Saturday, police said.
The incident happened in a market area in the tribal district of South Waziristan at about 5:00 p.m. local time (1200 GMT) when the policemen were on routine patrol in the market, Deputy Superintendent of Police of Wana Asghar Ali Shah, told Xinhua.
The blast happened due to the explosion of an improvised explosive device planted near the main gate of a supermarket in the crowded area, he added.
Following the explosion, local residents, police personnel and rescue teams launched relief operations and shifted the injured to a nearby hospital.
Chief Minister of the province Sohail Afridi condemned the attack and directed the authorities concerned to ensure the provision of the best possible medical treatment to the injured.
The chief minister expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and extended condolences to the bereaved families. ■
