Pakistan blast

More than 50 others were injured in the explosion on the busy Ferozepur Road close to a vegetable market in the south of the city.

The Pakistani Taliban said it was behind the explosion.

Reports suggest it was a suicide bomber on a motorbike, and the target may have been police working in the area. Police officers are among the dead.

Windows were blown out in nearby buildings by the force of the blast.

Eyewitness Sher Dil, who works at an office near the site, said he heard a "deafening blast".

Four of the dead were soldiers. Twenty-two others were wounded, officials say.

A team carrying out Pakistan's first census in nearly 20 years was the target of the attack, police said.

It comes amid a series of bombings claimed by Islamist militants in recent weeks. The Pakistani Taliban said they carried out the attack.

The site of the blast near Bedian Road has been cordoned off.

It was not immediately clear if the two civilians killed were census workers or bystanders.

Security forces have been frequent targets for the militants.

The explosion happened in the city of Parachinar, a mainly Shia Muslim area on the Afghan border.

Reports say a car packed with explosives was left near the women's entrance of the mosque as people gathered for Friday prayers.

The Pakistani Army has sent a helicopter to help take the injured to hospital.

A doctor at a local hospital said an appeal was being made for blood donors to help treat the wounded.