At least 20 people were killed Friday when a blast occurred during a funeral procession in northwestern Pakistan, according to local TV reports.

The private DAWN NEWS TV said that the explosion targeted a funeral procession near Kotli Imam Hussain in Dera Ismail Khan, a city in North West Frontier Province.

Eye witnesses said Shiite Muslims were heading to a mosque to offer funeral prayers of a slain Shia Muslim Sher Zaman when the participants came under attack. Zaman was killed by unidentified gunmen on Thursday.

As a result of the explosion, at least 20 persons were killed and 50 others suffered injuries.

Panic and fear prevailed in the area after the explosion and most of the markets and shops remained closed, according to the DAWN NEWS.

No group claimed responsibility for the explosion.

The DAWN NEWS quoted police sources as saying that it could be a suicide attack.

Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani strongly condemned the explosion.

(Xinhua News Agency February 20, 2009)