Peshawar (AsiaNews) - Harsh condemnation from Archbishop Lawrence John Saldanha, president of the Pakistani Catholic bishops' conference, over the car bombing last night in Peshawar, capital of the North-West Frontier Province, with at least 27 dead and 100 wounded.

The vehicle exploded near the famous and crowded Bazaar Qissa Khwani, one of the most heavily attended markets, with hundreds of shops in a labyrinth of narrow streets, where many people were shopping for the upcoming Islamic holiday of Eid. The explosion caused fires in buildings along the narrow street, making it difficult to help those who were injured, many of whom were trapped beneath the rubble. One witness says that "the entire area shook like it was an earthquake."

Mian Iftikhar Hussain, information minister for the province, says that 20-25 kilograms of explosives were used, making a crater more than 1.5 meters deep. The police do not yet know whether it was a suicide attack, because "investigations are still underway."

Archbishop Saldanha tells AsiaNews that "no religion permits terrorism, all religions foster peace and harmony for a safe future." "There are serious tensions in the area, and everyone must understand that such violence does not lead to solutions, but only to destruction."

The prelate recalls the attack in Mumbai, which he also condemned immediately: "We again condemn the loss of life and destruction in Mumbai and in Peshawar, and we pray for the victims."

Peter Jacobs, executive secretary of the commission for justice and peace, says that one must not jump to conclusions. He tells AsiaNews that "what happened in Mumbai and last night in Peshawar is terrorism, plain and simple. Just as in Mumbai it was said that investigations should be awaited before issuing accusations, we should do the same for Peshawar." "The two governments [of Pakistan and India] must work together to secure justice and order in the region."