AMN
A powerful suicide blast near residence-cum-office of Punjab province Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif in Lahore today killed 26 people, including policemen, and wounded more than 50 others.
Police and Lahore Development Authority officials were busy in removing encroachments outside the Arfa Karim Tower, located near the CM’s Model Town residence, when a powerful blast took place.
The Chief Minister, who is also the brother of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, was in a meeting at his Model Town office when the blast occurred.
Rescue teams shifted the injured to hospital. Emergency was declared in city hospitals.
The condition of several injured is stated to be critical. Lahore Police Chief Capt (R) Amin Wains confirmed that it was a suicide blast and the target was police.
Citing police sources, the Geo News reported that a suicide attacker targeted police personnel deployed at the site. The area has been cordoned off by a heavy contingent of security forces and the section of the road has been sealed.
No group has claimed responsibility for the blast.
President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif have expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious human lives.
