However, government officials put the death toll at seven and 20 injured. The bomb exploded at the Shia congregation of "Yahri Bahri" at Qadeem Imambargah, Bahir Wala Qabrastan in Bhakkar city. Witnesses said tens of thousands of people were attending the ceremony when the blast took place. Arif Hussain was addressing the Majlis when the bomb rocked the area at about 11.25pm. People started rushing in different directions to save their lives. A dozen of people were injured in stampede.

Witnesses said the bomb left a 5X10 square feet crater, suggesting that it was of very high intensity. Blood and body parts were found spread at the scene, witnesses said. Bhakkar Nazim Hameed Akhtar Niwani reached the spot at about 12.10am, while Bhakkar SP Khurram Gulzar at about 12.15am. Till then no ambulance had reached the scene, witnesses complained, adding that a squad of elite force was there, but it did not extend any help.

Locals have expressed anger over the city administration's attitude as ambulances reached the spot after more than half an hour of the incident. Witnesses said many of the injured were rushed to hospital on foot, rickshaws, motorcycles and private vehicles. Two of the deceased were identified, while there was no clue to the others as their bodies were disfigured. The identified were Narjis d/o Agha Abdullah Khan and Ruqaya d/o Nazar Hussain.

Bhakkar is known as a centre ofShia activities, a witness said while elaborating the event of Yahri Bahri. He said that a large number of Zakirs address different Majalis on the occasion and more than 50,000 people from across the province attended the event every year. On Thursday, there were more than 50,000 attendants.

Till late night, announcements regarding lost children were being made from almost every city mosque. The injured were rushed to the district headquarters hospital and other nearby hospitals. Rescue work was under way till the filing of this report.