Fifty-two people, including women and children, were killed and around 150 injured when a series of blasts destroyed almost an entire village in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on Sunday.

Police said an electric short circuit triggered a fire in a house in Gayal village in Diamir district, about 200 km from Gilgit.

The fire soon spread to a nearby building where explosives were stored.

Around 200 residents were trying to extinguish the fire when the explosives, stored by a government contractor, detonated.

The blasts killed 45 people on the spot and seven later succumbed to injuries, the police said.

The explosives were being used for blasting in mountains.

Deputy Secretary of northern Pakistan Mohammed Rehmani said police and paramilitary troops were engaged in rescue operations.

A mass funeral will take place in Gayal later in the day, villagers said.