Five killed in blast outside Police Lines in Lahore

LAHORE: A high-intensity blast took place outside Police Lines in the Qila Gujar Sigh area of the city.

At least five people including Sub-Inspector Muhammad Yusuf and ASI Waqar Ahmed were martyred in the blast while several others including a female constable have been injured.



IGP Punjab Mushtaq Ahmed Sukhara told reporters outside the Police Lines that five people were killed in the suicide bombing while 25 people were injured. “The attacker was standing near a pole outside Police Lines and detonated his vest.”

“There were intelligence reports that suicide attackers may strike in Lahore and other cities of Punjab,” IGP Sukhara added.

The IGP assured that police would continue to fight against terrorism. He said 5-8 kilograms were used and police were examining the CCTV video.

The police chief of Lahore, Captain (retd) Amin Wains told Geo News that the bombing was a suicide attack. He added that the attacker was trying to enter the Police Lines and was 20-25 years old.

Punjab Home Minister Colonel (retd) Shuja Khanzada confirmed that the target by the suicide bomber was the Police Lines building. He further said that suicide bomber detonated his vest as he could not penetrate the tight security.

The blast took place outside a tea shop setting fire to 5-6 cars parked in the area. Motorcycles were also damaged while the windows of nearby buildings were shattered.

The intensity of the blast was so severe that it could be heard for miles away in the city.

“The blast was so severe that the ground shook and we ran towards the spot,” said a resident of a nearby area.

Police personnel have surrounded the blast site while snipers have also been deployed in the area. The Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) have arrived at the blast spot and are collecting evidence.

The injured have been taken to nearby hospitals. Speaking to media outside Mayo Hospital, Special Assistant to Chief Minister Punjab on Health, Khawaja Salman Rafique said that the injured are being treated at Mayo Hospital as well as Ganga Ram Hospital. He added that the injured at Mayo Hospital were in stable condition now.

There are a number of commercial plazas, schools, banks and offices as well as a residential area near the vicinity of the blast site.

The blast has been condemned by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and President Mamnoon Hussain. Prime Minister Sharif has directed the Punjab government to submit an immediate report on the incident.

Punjab Chief Minister, Shahbaz Sharif has called for an emergency meeting regarding the security situation in the province. The IGP Punjab will present a investigative report on today’s incident.