PM Imran deplores Data Darbar blast, seeks report

The premier has sought report from the concerned authorities.

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Wednesday has strongly denounced the blast outside Data Darbar in Lahore. The premier has sought report from the concerned authorities.

Strongly condemn the terror blast outside Data Darbar this morning. Have asked Punjab govt to provide all assistance to the injured & families of victims.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) May 8, 2019

He also commiserated with the bereaved families and directed the local administration to provide best possible medical treatment to those injured in the explosion. Meanwhile, President Arif Alvi also condemned the blast in Lahore. He expressed grief over the loss of precious lives in the incident and said those involved in such despicable incident in the holy month of Ramazan are misguided elements. Earlier today, a suicide attack targeted a vehicle of police elite force in the immediate vicinity of Data Darbar in Lahore.

 

Rescue 1122 officials and police officers rushed to the spot along with a heavy convoy of police forces, and began operation and investigation, respectively.

The injured persons were shifted to nearby hospitals, where an emergency has been imposed, for their treatment. Some of the patients are said to be critical.

The explosion took place close to police vehicles near Gate 2 of Data Darbar. One of the vehicles was completely destroyed. The shrine has been targeted previously, in a 2010 suicide attack that killed more than 40 people, and is guarded by heavy security. An attack in Lahore in March last year left nine people dead, while a major blast targeting Christians celebrating Easter in a park in 2016 killed more than 70 people.