Islamabad, April 10 (IANS): The outlawed United Baloch Army (UBA) militant group has taken responsibility for two successive blasts in Pakistan which claimed at least 40 lives and left several injured, the interior ministry said Thursday.

Saleem Shahid, a spokesman for the UBA, told the media over telephone that his organisation was behind the bomb attack in the fruit and vegetable market on Rawalpindi-Islamabad border Wednesday, Dawn online reported.

"Our organisation has carried out the bomb attack in the fruit and vegetable market in the twin city in reaction to operations conducted by security forces in Kalat, Turbat, Panjgur, Mastung and other parts of Balochistan," he said.

At least 23 persons were killed and scores of others injured in a huge explosion in the Sabzi Mandi area on the border between the capital Islamabad and the garrison city of Rawalpindi. The explosives were planted inside a fruit box.

At least 17 people were killed Tuesday in a blast which took place inside bogie number nine of the Rawalpindi-bound Jaffar Express when it arrived at Sibi station in Balochistan province.