Saturday, December 31 2005 12:09 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Jakarta: Six people were killed and 45 injured when a bomb exploded at a market stall selling pork early today (Dec 31, 2005) in the Indonesian town of Palu in religiously-divided Central Sulawesi province, police said.

It was the latest in a string of attacks to rock the restive province and came as Indonesian security forces across the archipelago nation were on high alert for potential Islamic extremist attacks during the New Year period.

"We have sealed the area for fears of more unidentified bombs, but as to whether the death toll will rise, it is still unknown," police officer Rawang told sources from Palu. He confirmed that six were dead and 45 injured.

"Most of the victims suffered injuries to their legs because of the shrapnel from the bomb," he said.

Provincial police spokesman Rais Adam told sources that a bomb squad unit had defused a second bomb near the site of the first blast, a kiosk that sells pork.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono condemned the bombing and immediately ordered an investigation, his spokesman Andi Malarangeng said. Yudhoyono had also asked top security minister Widodo Adisucipto and national police chief Sutanto to investigate whether this bombing is related to the previous attacks in the region, Malarangeng told sources.

Central Sulawesi police chief Oegroseno told Metro TV that the blast occurred only about 100 metres from a Christian church.

Palu mayor Rusdi Maztura told the television channel that the bomb appeared to be made of low-grade explosives.

He also urged Christians in Palu to remain calm. All the injured, many of whom were Christian, were taken to four area hospitals for treatment.