Peshawar hotel blast toll rises to over 24(Lead: Peshawar blast)

The death toll in Tuesdays bomb blast at a hotel in Peshawar has risen to more than 24.

Islamabad, May 15 : The death toll in Tuesday's bomb blast at a hotel in Peshawar has risen to more than 24.

The blast happened at the Marhaba Hotel on the crowded Naz Cinema Road close to the centuries-old Mahabat Mosque. The hotel is famous for its variety of food. Afghan nationals are the most frequent visitors.

Interior Ministry officials have confirmed the deaths of 19. The chief minister of Pakistan's North West Frontier Province (NWFP), Akram Khan Durrani, has announced a compensation of Rs.0.1 million each for the deceased and Rs. 50,000 each for injured.

According to police sources, four to five kilograms of explosives were used in the blast.

The Governor of Sindh, Dr. Ishratul Ibad, who has just come out of two days of rioting in Karachi, has condemned the blast in Peshawar.

The dead bodies and the injured have been shifted to Lady Reading Hospital. An emergency was announced at local hospitals after the blast.

Investigations are underway as to the cause of the blast.

Security forces have been placed on high alert in Karachi and Lahore after the blast in Peshawar.

ANI