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The aftermath of two blasts in Pakistan that have left 19 people dead. In the southwestern
city of Quetta, a bomb killed at least 10 and wounded more than 30 others. Several vehicles
caught fire after the explosion that blew in the windows of nearby buildings. Police
say that most of the victims were bus passengers, with the streets packed with traffic at the
time of the blast. Experts say that more than 5 kilos of explosives were used, but are still
trying to determine whether the bomb was planted in the bus or strapped to a nearby bicycle.
In the other blast, a suicide bomber blew himself up in front of a police car in Sarband
in Peshawar. At least nine bystanders were killed including a woman and a child.
The blast happened as a police van was on routine patrol in a crowded marketplace. Hospital
officials report at least thirty people brought in with injuries. So far, nobody has claimed
responsibility for the attacks. Various militants are active in the volatile city, including
the Pakistani Taliban and various sectarian and separatist groups. The attacks took place
as the government tried to engage Taliban militants in talks aimed at reaching a permanent
ceasefire to end years of violence. Taliban leaders, who seem keen to hold talks, have
condemned previous attacks, distancing themselves from the violence.