Patriot Report/Agencies
LAHORE: At least 13 people were martyred and more than eighty injured when a suicide bomber struck Monday evening around 6pm outside the Punjab Assembly in Lahore during a protest, police officials said.
Inspector General of Police (IG) Punjab Mushtaq Ahmad Sukhera confirmed that six police officials were among the dead, including two senior officers.
Police cordoned off the area on Mall Road, one of Lahore’s main arteries, amid fears of a second blast as rescuers raced to the scene, with images of the injured being carried away shown by local media.
The incident occurred as a large number of chemists and pharmaceutical manufacturers were gathered in front of the provincial assembly to protest a government crackdown against the sale of illegal drugs. There was a significant presence of law enforcers in the area while the protest was ongoing.
Jamat-ul-Ahrar faction of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack.
‘The suicide attacker was on foot,’ Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Chief Dr Mohammad Iqbal had revealed earlier. SSP Operations Zahid Gondal of Punjab Police and DIG Traffic Lahore Capt (retd) Ahmad Mobeen were among those lost their lives in the attack. Hours earlier, DIG Mobeen had been seen on television, mediating with the protesters gathered at the site. Media representatives were also present at the site of protest when the explosion took place. The explosion was so powerful that it shattered windows of DSNG vans and police mobiles parked nearby.
According to media reports law enforcement personnel a arrested a suspicious person from near Charing Cross, close to where the suicide bomber detonated his explosives.
President, PM, Army Chief Condemn Attack
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and President Mamnoon Hussain strongly condemned terror attack. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister House, Nawaz Sharif condemned the attack in the strongest of terms and urged the nation to not lose heart and continue their resolve over war on terror.
‘Both President and Prime Minister said such dastardly acts cannot shake the resolve of the nation,’ Radio Pakistan reported. The premier has directed to provide best medical facilities to the injured of the blast. The President House reported that Mamnoon Hussain has condoled deaths of innocent people.
Meanwhile, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa instructed local military commanders and intelligence agencies to provide all necessary assistance to civilian authorities and arrest those responsible, a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) read.
‘COAS while condemning the terrorist act at Lahore has expressed his grief for loss of innocent lives,’ the statement added.
Chief Minister Punjab, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has announced to observe one day mourning tomorrow across the province.
Terror alert
In a Feb 7 notification addressing the Home Secretary, Punjab, the Provincial Police Officer and DG Pak Rangers Punjab, the National Counterterrorism Authority (NACTA) had warned of a possible terrorist attack in Lahore.
NACTA had directed that all vital installations, including important buildings, hospitals and schools, be kept under strict vigilance.
‘Extreme vigilance and heightened security measures are suggested to avoid any untoward incident,’ the notification added.
Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said that maximum preparations were made after the threat alert was received. ‘The spot where the blast took place is always under threat. Even if there was no alert, strict security measures are always taken in the area.’