Five people killed in a powerful bomb exploded in Pakistan

A Pakistani official says a powerful bomb has exploded near a minority Shiite Muslim place of worship in the northwest town of Parachinar, killing at least five people and wounding 30 others.

Government administrator Zahid Hussain says authorities are transporting the dead and wounded to nearby hospitals.No one has claimed responsibility for



the bombing Friday morning, which also damaged several shops located near the Shiite mosque. Hussain said Shiites were apparently the target of the attack.

In a statement, the Pakistan army confirmed the bombing, saying it is dispatching a helicopter to evacuate wounded persons to hospitals in other cities for medical treatment.