Pakistan police hunt bomb clues

The blast happened as thousands gathered in the village of Fatehpur, about 300km (185 miles) from Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province.

There were no immediate claims of responsibility for the bombing.

Correspondents say the attack does not fit into Pakistan's pattern of sectarian violence, as both Sunnis and Shias were among the casualties.

Some reports said the explosion was a suicide attack - others that a time-bomb had been planted.

"We are trying to ascertain whether it was a suicide bombing, because the body of a man close to the blast site had been ripped into small pieces," said Balochistan police chief Chaudhry Muhammad Yaqub.

Wailing

Thousands of worshippers were settling down to an evening meal when the bomb exploded, leaving a crater six feet (2m) deep.

"The food was being handed out amongst the devotees when there was a huge, loud blast," said pilgrim Mohammad Midhal.

"Everyone was wailing, they were covered in blood, staggering around and lifting up people to see if they were injured or even alive."

A second bomb was found at the shrine and safely removed.

Balochistan has a history of violence between Shia and Sunni Muslims - nearly 50 Shias were killed during an important religious procession a year ago - and it has also seen increased attacks by tribesmen fighting for more autonomy.

But correspondents say Fatehpur is in an area which has not seen sectarian violence.

Recent clashes

The blast occurred during the annual pilgrimage to the shrine of a saint, Raqil Shah, revered by devotees of Sufism - a mystical branch of Islam.

"This is the biggest gathering in Balochistan. Everyone comes here, even Hindus. There is no distinction here between a Shia and a Sunni," said the shrine's caretaker, Syed Sadiq Shah.

"God's curse be on those who did this. They have killed innocent people."

He denied the bomb could have been linked to an alleged dispute within his family over custody of the shrine.

Recent clashes between Baloch nationalists and security forces left more than 20 people dead, according to local authorities.

But the BBC's correspondent Paul Anderson in Islamabad says the rebels' targets have usually been security forces and the power and rail infrastructure, not large gatherings of civilians.