26 killed, over 56 wounded in suicide blast near Lahore's Arfa technology park
Punjab Police DIG Dr Haider Ashraf confirmed that it was a suicide blast
LAHORE (Web Desk/AFP) – A suicide blast in Sabzi Mandi near Arfa Software Technology Park on Monday claimed lives of nine police among 26 persons and left over 56 wounded.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Operations Wing of Punjab Police Dr Haider Ashraf confirmed in a media talk that it was a suicide blast. Preliminary probe suggested that at least nine to 11 kilograms of explosives were used in the attack.
Banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility of the attack.
06:45pm: Details of the wounded and killed, compiled by the Government of Punjab
However, earlier reports suggested that a vehicle bearing registration number LRB 9308, that was being driven in violation of traffic rules at the site, exploded. An anti-encroachment drive was underway in the area, Punjab law minister Rana Sanaullah said, not ruling out that police were the target.
CCTV footage captures the explosion:
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Photo of TTP attacker
State of emergency was imposed in nearby hospitals and 56 injured were shifted to General Hospital.
Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan, spokesperson for the Government of Punjab reported in an exclusive talk with Dunya News that at least four to five persons were critical but all resources were being utilised at General Hospital for their medical treatment.
The government authorities held confirming the nature of the blast for over 2 hours. Both the spokesperson for the government and the law minister said that it was too soon to narrow the possibilities.
According to the reporters on ground, security arrangements in the vicinity were weak, given that Chief Minister (CM) Secretariat is nearby. Though personnel belonging to security agencies and rescue department reached the site without objectionable delay.
Three motorcylces and a car were destroyed in the blast.
Condemnation
Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif has strongly condemned the attack in the metropolis. He has offered condolences to the grieving families of the killed. According to the Prime Minister House, the premier has directed authorities in Lahore to ensure the best treatment of the wounded in hospitals.
Army chief directed authorities for immediate rescue and relief 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
CM Shehbaz, whose secretariat is near to the blast site condemned the attack and vowed to provide the best medical treatment to the injured.
As scheduled, interior minister Chaudhry Nisar conducted his much-speculated-about press conference but refrained from talking about the political situation. He said that he would not be commenting on Panama Papers case today in wake of the blast in Lahore.
He said that he has not cancelled the press briefing but has postponed it.
Nisar’s brief talk:
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Fazlur Rehman, president of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid-e-Azam (PML-Q) Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Pakistan People s Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, co-chairman of PPP Asif Ali Zardari, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Sirajul Haq, Senate chairman Raza Rabbani and Balochistan chief minister Sanaullah Zehri condemned the blast.
Lahore has been hit by significant militant attacks in Pakistan’s more than decade-long war on extremism, but they have been less frequent in recent years.
Explosions caused by gas cylinders -- which are used for cooking as well as in cars -- are also common in the country. A blast in Lahore earlier this year which was initially thought to be a militant attack turned out to be a gas explosion.
The city of around six million people is Pakistan’s cultural hub and the capital of its most powerful province, Punjab.
