LAHORE: At least 28 people were killed and over 50 others injured in a blast near Arfa Kareem Tower on Ferozpur road here on Monday.
According to Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan, most of the dead include security personnel. Armed assailants riding a motorbike launched the assault on law enforcers.
Footage of the spot
According to police officials, it apparently seems the police personnel were the prime target of suicide bomber. They say Camp office of Chief Minister Punjab is also located near Afra Tower.
Three motorcycles, a dumper and a car have completely been damaged in the blast.
Talking to ARY News, Spokesperson Punjab Government Malik Ahmed Khan said that the demolition of dilapidated buildings was underway in the area when the blast ripped through.
“The authorities are yet to determine the nature of blast,” he added.
Haider Ashraf, deputy inspector general of Punjab police, said the blast was a suicide attack and “police were the target”.
The old Sabzi Mandi is also situated in the area. The road has been blocked for all kind of traffic movement.
Thirteen injured have been rushed to General Hospital and six others were shifted to Jinnah Hospital. The injured were said to sustain critical wounds.
The rescue and police teams have cordoned off the blast site.
PM condemns blast
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has strongly condemned the blast in Lahore. According to the PM House, the premier has directed authorities in the city to ensure the best treatment of the wounded in hospitals.
Provincial Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, whose secretariat is near to the blast site, has also condemned the attack and vowed to provide the best medical treatment to the injured.
Lahore targeted again
In April this year, a suicide attack struck army personnel in Lahore that killed at least six people and wounded 18 in Lahore.
The blast hit an army vehicle taking part in census, killing four soldiers and two civilian bystanders. Similarly on February 13, 2017, an explosion near the Punjab Assembly killed at least 13 people and wounded 83 others.
At least five police officers were among the dead when an explosion rocked a protest organized by Pakistan’s chemists and pharmaceuticals manufacturers.
Scores of people have been killed since the beginning of the year in a series of attacks that have dashed hopes of an end to the violence of recent years and stepped up pressure on PML-N’s government to improve security.
