The blasts took place in two separate locations in Parachinar, the capital of Kurram Agency, on Friday evening.

In the first blast, a bomb planted on a motorbike went off in the city’s main market near the Afghan border.

The second blast was shortly followed at a Shia mosque. Reports said the second blast came after a bomber rammed his motorbike into the main gate of the mosque as crowds of people were praying inside.

The frequent incidents have raised concerns among human rights groups, while moderate Pakistani Sunni groups have described the issue as a conspiracy against the country.

Taliban leaders, who were toppled in the 2001 US-led invasion of Afghanistan, took refuge in tribal regions of Pakistan and rapidly began to extend their influence from tribes to major towns and cities.

Quetta, the capital of Pakistan's restive southwestern Balochistan province has witnessed several instances of violence directed against the Hazara Shia community in recent months.

Several Shia religious gatherings have also been targeted in central province of Punjab over the past some months.

MRKD/NJF