At least 25 people were killed and 53 others injured in a suspected suicide blast near the Arfa Karim IT Tower on Lahore's Ferozepur Road on Monday afternoon, said Lahore deputy commissioner on behalf of the Punjab government.
Earlier, SP Imran Awan had confirmed that more than nine bodies were shifted to the hospital. At least three of the deceased people are policemen, he added.
#LahoreBlast - 5:30 PM update: 53 injured & 25 dead. pic.twitter.com/R0xOhb9P8I
— Govt Of The Punjab (@GovtOfPunjab) July 24, 2017
According to Awan, an anti-encroachment drive by Lahore Development Authority was underway in the area when the explosion took place. The anti-riot police officials were deployed for the drive.
The injured include at least six policemen. Rescue 1122 teams have shifted them to nearby hospitals where emergency has been imposed.
Two vehicles, including one motorcycle, have reportedly been damaged in the incident.
Police and other law enforcement personnel have reached the site of the incident and cordoned off the area. Forensics teams have started collecting evidence from the blast site, after which the nature of explosion will be confirmed.
The area where the explosion occurred is a busy locality near the office of Punjab chief minister.
The high-ups offered their condolences following the blast.
No words can express the grief which grips my heart right now. Blast destroyed many families, but terrorists can never destroy our resolve..
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) July 24, 2017
Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif expressed grief over the loss of life in the blast.
The army chief shares grief with the families of the victim of Lahore blast, military's media wing quoted General Qamar Bajwa as saying.
COAS shares grief with victim families of Lhr blast. Directs for immediate rescue and relief efforts. Troops reached at site.
— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) July 24, 2017
Provincial Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, while talking to the media, said that the incumbent government has overcome the menace of terrorism by 70 to 80 per cent.
We have started the operation against terrorist organisations and the situation is much better as compared to what it was 2011-12, Sanaullah added.
Lahore has been the target of terrorist attacks in recent months. A suicide blast on February 13 ripped through the camp of protesting chemists in front of the Punjab Assembly, leaving 13 people dead and 70 others wounded.
Last year, in a terrorist attack in Iqbal Park targeting those celebrating Easter, 72 people had died and over 300 had been injured.
Another blast, targeting a census team in April had resulted in deaths of 6 people, including 5 forces personnel.
Huge explosion near Arfa Tech Park #Lahore Ya Allah Khair.. pic.twitter.com/FNyJwNfJOW
— Sarhan khan (@Sarhankhan8) July 24, 2017
This is a breaking story that is being developed
