LAHORE: At least 26 people, eight police personnel among them, were killed and 57 others injured in a suicide blast near Arfa Karim Tower on Ferozpur road on Monday, officials said.
Police said that a suicide bomber riding a motorcyle had tried to target policemen, who were present in the area to handle any possible untoward situation in reaction to the ongoing anti-encroachment operation. The blast left at least 26 dead and 57 wounded.
A Sub-Inspector and an Assistant-Sub Inspector were among the eight police personnel killed in the incident.
Police and rescue sources said that the injured were shifted to nearby hospitals including, Jinnah Hospital, General Hospital and Sheikh Zayed Hospital. Police personnel were also among the injured. Two of the dead were identified as Abid and Moazzam, hospital sources said.
Five of the injured are in critical condition, hospital sources said.
Three motorcyles were also destroyed in the blast.
Some 10-15 people under the tree... Look like dead
— Muhammad Shoaib (@muh_shoaibb) July 24, 2017
May Allah protect us#BreakingNews #Lahore
Police had cordoned off the area and evacuated Arfa Karim Tower after the blast.
Contingents of Pak Army have also reached the site of the blast.
Meanwhile, President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the Lahore suicide blast and voiced grief and sorrow over loss of precious lives.
Speaking to media in Lahore, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanuallah said it was premature to say whether it was a suicide blast.
“So far I can confirm that five people have died and 25 injured in the explosion”, he added.
The perpetrators of this explosion are the same who had been carrying out terror activities using various names in the country.
Military spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor said on Twitter Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa shares grief with victims of the blast in Lahore and has issued direction for relief and rescue efforts.
COAS shares grief with victim families of Lhr blast. Directs for immediate rescue and relief efforts. Troops reached at site.
— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) July 24, 2017
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran called the explosion "another cowardly, condemnable terrorist attack", directing his party activits in Lahore to suspend all political activities and focus on providing assistance and support to the victim families and the injured
Another cowardly, condemnable terrorist attack, this time in Lahore, killing innocent citizens. Prayers for the vics families & the injured.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) July 24, 2017
PTI Lahore must suspend all political activities & focus on providing assistance/support to the terrorist attack vics families & the injured
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) July 24, 2017
Video goes viral on social media, drawing anger from netizens and demand for harsh penalties
Political Financing Wing of ECP has asked PTI representatives to appear before electoral watchdog on April 30
Epicentre of the earthquake was New Malir Karachi
IT ministry notifies tech expert's appointment as convener of Digital Pakistan committee headed by state minister
Pakistani, Irani leaders highlight need to resolve Kashmir issue via peaceful means based on will of people
Petitioners raise objections on top court's six-member bench hearing military court's case