QUETTA, Sept 5: A powerful blast rocked a commercial area in the city on Sunday afternoon, creating panic among people shopping for Eid.

Thousands of people, including women and children, were in Liaquat Bazaar when the blast occurred in the basement of Shalimar Shopping Plaza.

“The blast occurred in the basement of the shopping plaza,” police said, adding it was an explosive device that went off with a big bang.

Witnesses said a man went to the basement and placed a small bag near a shop, which went off after some time. Shutters of several shops were torn apart by the blast. No injury was reported.

On Friday, a suicide attack struck a procession at the Meezan Chowk killing over 60 people an injuring 160.