AMN
Three top police officers were among 16 people killed when a suicide bomber blew himself up targeting them during a protest rally outside Pakistan’s Punjab assembly in Lahore today. 69 people are also reported to have injured seriously.
Lahore Traffic Police chief, Senior Superintendent Police and DSP were killed in the blast.
At least 16 people were killed in the powerful blast that ripped through the protest rally, police officials said.
Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique said more than 60 people suffered injuries. The condition of some 11 injured is stated to be critical.
The blast occurred minutes after Police officials arrived at the scene to negotiate with the chemists and pharmaceutical manufacturers who had been protesting outside the assembly. A TV footage shows that a motorcyclist dragging his bike close to police officers and blew himself up.
“The suicide attacker was on foot,” said Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Chief Dr Mohammad Iqbal. SSP Zahid Gondal of Punjab Police and DIG Traffic Lahore Capt (retd) Ahmad Mobin were killed in the attack.
Hours earlier, DIG Mobin had been seen on television, mediating with the protesters gathered at the site. Mobin was reportedly negotiating with protesters for an end to the strike and for them to clear the area.
The chemists were protesting against the controversial drug regulations the government has recently imposed. The Jamat-ul-Ahrar faction of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan has claimed responsibility for the attack.