Security officials and members of a bomb disposal team survey the site after a blast in Lahore. (Image: Reuters)
At least 8 persons were killed while 25 others were critically injured on Wednesday morning when a blast targeted a security vehicle parked outside the Data Darbar Shrine in Pakistan's Lahore.
The blast occurred around 8:45 am in Pakistan when a vehicle of the Elite Forces stationed outside gate no. 2 of the Data Darbar shrine was blown up.
The injured and the dead were taken to the nearby Mayo Hospital in Lahore. Security forces have cordoned off the blast site to ascertain if it was triggered by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) or is it a suicide blast.
Lahore Deputy Commissioner, Sualiha Saeed told India Today TV that the attack may be a suicide blast as "ball bearings were used in the blast and the body of a suspected suicide bomber has also been brought to the hospital".
However, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Lahore Operations Ashfaq Ahmed Khan has not confirmed it yet.
"We cannot confirm the nature of the blast as yet. Investigations are underway and we will confirm details as they unfold," DIG Khan said.
Inspector General Punjab Arif Nawaz Khan said that among the 8 persons martyred in the blast, 5 belonged to security forces while the others were civilians.
"At least 8 kg explosive was used in the blast. The target of the attack was the elite and security forces," said IG Punjab.
It should be noted that Data Darbar is densely crowded with people, especially during the holy month of Ramadan. Food, water and shelter are given to the poor round the clock in this shrine during the Ramadan month.
The latest blast is the third such attack on the Data Darbar shrine. Earlier, a blast claimed the lives of dozens as a suicide bomber blew up inside the shrine while the second blast occurred outside the premises of the shrine.
Security officials said there were threats of terror attacks in general. However, there were no specific threats of Data Darbar shrine being the target.
No terror group has claimed responsibility of the attack as yet.
No comments:
Post a Comment