DHAKA: An explosion has ripped through a market in the north-western Pakistani city of Peshawar, leaving at least 31 dead and dozens wounded.

Police said a bomb had exploded in the Kissa Khwani market, with shops and vehicles set alight, reports the BBC.

The blast comes a week after a double suicide bombing that killed at least 80 people at a church in the city.

On Friday, at least 17 people were killed in the bombing of a bus carrying government employees near Peshawar.

Peshawar, the main city of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, has been hit by numerous bomb and gun attacks blamed on Taliban insurgents in recent years.

Police said they suspected the explosion was caused by a car bomb.

BDST: 1431 HRS, SEPT 29, 2013
RoR/RIS