Hundreds of trucks loaded with vegetables and fruits arrive at Sabzi Mandi everyday and it was not possible for police to check each and every truck, he told media near the blast site.
Police sources told APP that the explosives were planted in a guava box which at the time of auction went off with a big bang, causing deaths and injuries. The guava boxes were brought from Burewala, Arifwala and Pakpattan.
The sources said Rawalpindi Sabzi Mandi located on border of twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi was targeted as the vegetable and fruit vendors and general public usually flock there in large numbers to make their purchases early morning.
Fruit sellers and vendors complained lack of security despite potential threat from the terrorists.
Around 23 persons were killed and more than 50 were injured in the blast.
The dead bodies of 17 persons and 52 injured were immediately shifted to PIMS in Islamabad while two dead bodies were shifted to Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi.