At least 20 people were injured in an explosion at a private bank in Sadiqabad area of Pakistan’s Punjab province, on Thursday, according to a media report.

The bank building was completely damaged in the blast and the area has been cordoned off, Geo TV reported.

Initial reports suggest that the blast occurred due to a gas cylinder explosion, police said.

Security forces have launched a search and rescue operation, while the injured have been shifted to a nearby medical facility for assistance.

Chief Minister of Punjab Usman Buzdar asked authorities to submit a report on the incident within 24 hours.