WEB DESK / AMN
At least nine persons, including four policemen were killed and 35 injured last night when a powerful blast took place near the residence of Pakistan’s ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif in Lahore.
Earlier Punjab Health Minister Salman Rafique said, at least eight persons, including four policemen, lost their lives and 20 others have been injured in the suicide blast which targeted a police check post in Raiwind on the outskirts of Lahore.
“Police appears to be the target,” Lahore DIG Operations Dr Haider Ashraf told Daily Times. He confirmed that it was a suicide blast and that the bomber rammed his motorcycle into a police check post located on the road leading to the ground where annual congregation of Tableeghi Jamaat is held. He said that body parts of the suspected suicide bomber have been recovered from the blast site.
According to Deputy Inspector General Police Lahore Dr Haider Ashraf, the condition of some policemen is critical.
Rescue 1122 spokesman Jam Sajjad said, the Rescue ambulances are shifting the injured to the Sharif medical complex and other nearby hospitals. Pakistan Rangers quick response force has reached the spot and cordoned off the area.
Meanwhile, IG Punjab Captain (retd) Arif Nawaz Khan has directed to declare a security high alert in the province.
No militant group has claimed the responsibility of the blast so far.
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif was quick to condemn the blast. He “sought a report from Inspector General Police” and directed the authorities to provide “best possible medical facilities and treatment to the injured persons”, read a statement issued by the provincial government.
PHOTO Daily Times