Lahore: Twin blasts near church in Youhanabad kill fifteen, 70 injured
Emergency has been declared in all the hospitals of Lahore.
Lahore (Dunya News) – At least fifteen people were killed and 70 people sustained severe injuries in twin blasts near Saint John Catholic Church and Christ Church in Youhanabad area of Lahore, Dunya News reported.
Medical Superintendant (MS) Lahore General Hospital confirmed the deaths.
Security has been increased in the area whereas jammers have been fixed and mobile service has been suspended.
Christian community has announced three-day mourning whereas missionary schools have announced to remain close in Karachi and across Punjab tomorrow in the view of the suicide attacks on the churches.
Pakistan Bait-ul-Maal has announced aid of Rs25,000 for the injured and Rs50,000 relief package for the deceased whereas Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Shahbaz Sharif has announced Rs5 lac aid for the relatives
According to sources, the explosions occurred during prayers near two churches in the city s Youhanabad area which is home to more than 100,000 Christians.
The ceremony included more than 500 people.
Rescue teams reached the scene and rushed the injured to Lahore General Hospital for medical assisstance whereas emergency has been declared in all the hospitals of Lahore.
Doctors at the provincial capital city s hospitals have also made appeals for blood donations.
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According to sources, some unknown miscreants opened fire near one church after which the blast occured whereas suicide bomber explode himself outside the second church on being stopped at the gate.
Two young children estimated to be eight and fourteen years of age and a security guard is among those killed.
Pastor David, a local cleric at the site told AFP that: "One blast took place at the entrance of one church where a congregation was going on. Another blast took place in the second church," adding that the two buildings were 500 metres (1,600 feet) apart.
Enraged citizens lynched two unknown suspects, claimed to be the companion of suicide bomber, after snatching them from the police and set them on fire.
The explosion has sparked angry protests and mourning among the beleagured Christian community in Lahore Peshawar and Karachi.
Violent protesters took to the streets to protest against the police and blocked various roads for traffic.
Two policemen were held hostage by the protesters which were later released by police officials in plain clothes and shifted to the hospital.
A massive protest is also underway by the enraged citizens against inavailability of adequate security by the government and security forces whereas the protesters have also completely blocked the Ferozpur road for traffic and are ransacking the metro bus route.
The protesters have also blocked the way for the police and forensic teams to enter the crime scene and collect evidence.
Besides this a massive crowd has also been gathered outside the General Hospital chanting slogans against the Punjab government.
People are of the view that despite of threats from terrorist organizations adequate facility was not provided to the churches and they have secured their worship places on their own whereas the protesters have also demanded accountability from the government.
The protesters are also damaging the government property and plundering on the streets of the metropolis.
Moreover, the police is trying to control and disperse the enormous incited protesters and .
Federal Minister for Ministries Kamran Michael reached the scene to negotiate with the protesters but the enraged citizens didnt allowed him to carry on the talks as a result of which he returned and later visited the General Hospital to console the injured.
Initial reports suggest that two suicide bombers tried to enter the gates of two churches but were stopped at the gates by the security guards on which they blew themselves up.
The police has also found an unidentified dead body coverd in blood from a shop located near the blast site.
Earlier, intelligence agencies have information of the blast threats in Lahore by terrorists however, no effective steps regarding security was not taken by the officials and administration.
Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif, Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Shahbaz Sharif, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Altaf Hussain, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazal s (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Pervaiz Rsheed and former Governor Punjab Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar has condemned the suicide attack on the twin churches and vowed their support to the Christian community.
PM Nawaz Sharif has directed provincial governments to ensure the security of public and their properties and has also sought a detailed report of the incident.
Christians make up around two percent of Pakistan s 180 million people and have been targeted in attacks and riots in recent years.
Sunday s attack was the worst on the community since a devastating double suicide bombing in the northwestern city of Peshawar in 2013 which killed 82 people.
This is a developing story and will be updated accordingly
