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Updated on
Summary
At least 49 people have been killed so far while more than 135 others sustained injuries including women and children when twin blasts ripped through the Moon Market, Allama Iqbal Town, Lahore on Monday night, Dunya News reported. Moon market is a commercial center of Iqbal Town, Lahore, where a large number of shoppers especially women and children are normally present. Panic prevailed in the market after the blast. The blast was so powerful that its sound was heard nearby areas. Fire engulfed many nearby shops after the blasts and 40-45 garments shops have been totally damaged. The blasts were occurred near MCB bank. Light of the area was disconnected due to which relief teams are facing problems. Police cordoned off the area and sealed the Moon Market due to security concerns. Rescue 1122 teams and Edhi ambulances reached the spot and started relief activities. Fire brigades are trying hard to control the fire but still not succeeded. The injured are being shifted to the nearby Shiekh Zayed Hospital, Gangaram Hospital, Services Hospital and Jinnah Hospital. Dunya News correspondent told that till this time more than 40 injured have been shifted to the hospital. Five women are among the injured in which two are in critical situation. According to hospital sources, 42 people have been killed so far and more than 130 people got injuries. Nature of the blasts is yet to be confirmed as there are contradictory reports about the incident. SSP Operations Chaudhry Shafique told Dunya News the first blast was a suicide attack in which 30 people have been killed so far. SP Investigation Iqbal Town told Dunya News that nature of the blasts is not yet confirmed but it was a suicide activity. CCPO Lahore Pervaiz Rathore said that the bombs were apparently remote-controlled devices. Dunya News correspondent told that explosive material was planted in two black bags. According to witnesses, explosive material was planted in a car. Commissioner Lahore Khusroo Pervaiz has confirmed 10 casualties. He told that terrorists are targeting the innocents including children and women. He appealed to the people through media that they should avoid rush in the hospitals to smoothly continue the relief activities. According to other police officials, they had received intelligence about the possible attacks in the Moon Market and they were coming to secure the market but the blasts occurred before their arrival. Head of the suicide attacker has been found from the blast site. Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has strongly condemned the twin bomb blasts at a market place in Lahore on Monday, which caused loss of lives and injuries. The Prime Minister expressed his deep grief over the killing of innocent people and prayed for the early recovery of injured. He directed the authorities concerned to investigate the matter and provide best possible medical treatment to the injured. President Asif Ali Zardari has strongly condemned the twin blasts at the Moon Market Lahore on Monday. The President expressed deep grief over the killing of innocent people and prayed for the early recovery of injured. He said such cowardly acts of terrorism would not deter the governments resolve to fight this menace in the country. MQM leader Altaf Hussain also condemned the blast in Lahore. He expressed deep grief over the killing of innocent people.
