The blast which occurred around 0800 hrs was heard in the vicinity of 500 metres. There was a large number of students inside the seminary, and routine morning classes were being commenced when the explosion occurred, local media reported.

Bodies of the victims lay strewn in the rubble. Police reached the spot and launched the rescue operation with the help of locals.

According to reports, the blast happened minutes after someone left a bag at the madrassa.

The injured have been rushed to a local hospital where the conditions of several wounded were said to be critical.