At least eight persons were killed and 30 others injured on Thursday when a powerful bomb blast apparently targeted two eateries here, including one serving Indian cuisine, in the second bombing in the city this month as Pakistan witnesses a surge in terror attacks.
Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique told reporters that eight people were killed and 30 others injured in the blast at the Z Block market of the Defence Housing Society (DHA). He said the condition of four injured was stated to be very critical and doctors were trying their best to save their lives.
“Bombay Chowpati and Alfarno Cafe restaurants were apparently the target of terrorists. The device was planted in an under-construction building near Bombay Chowpati,” a senior police officer told PTI.
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He said these restaurants were frequented by young couples.
Deputy Inspector General Lahore Police Dr. Haider Ashraf said, “Apparently an explosive material was planted in an under construction building in Z block market. We are also investigating the other aspects like that of gas leakage.”
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Punjab police spokesman Niyab Haider, however, confirmed that it was a “planted device” that caused the explosion.
“It appears to be a planted device. However we are investigating from all aspects,” he said.
An eyewitness, Salman Iqbal, said he was busy in his work at his bank in Z block when the powerful blast took place.
“I was struck against my desk because of the impact of the blast sound and fell semi-unconscious. When I regained consciousness after a while, all my colleagues were saying there was a blast outside the bank,” he said.
Mr. Iqbal said when he went outside, he saw many people lying injured on the road and crying for help. He said some of his colleagues suffered minor injuries.
Several vehicles were also damaged in the blast. Rescue officials shifted the injured to different city hospitals.
Army and Rangers personnel along with the police reached the spot and cordoned off the area.
DHA is under the control of the army. All educational institutions and trade centres in the DHA have been closed.
Besides, all major trade centres and markets in Lahore have also been closed.
Sabotaging PSL final?
Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said the blast seemed to be aimed at sabotaging Pakistan Super League (PSL) final in Lahore. Mr. Sanaullah said the Rangers have already been deployed in Punjab to fight terrorism.
“Terrorists are coming to Pakistan after taking training from Afghanistan,” he alleged.
Both in Lahore and Sehwan in Sindh, suicide bombers had come from Afghanistan, Mr. Sanaullah said.
The blast came days after the suicide blast on Lahore’s Mall Road in which 15 people, including police officers, were killed. That blast was claimed by Jammat-ul-Ahrar, a faction of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan.
The bombing comes just a day after Pakistan Army launched a nationwide military operation ‘Radd-ul-Fasaad’ to eliminate terrorists and consolidate gains of its counter-terrorism operations.
Surge in explosionss
A series of blasts in the country have killed more than 100 people, including women and children.
Last Wednesday, at least seven people were killed and several others, including judges, injured in two separate suicide attacks in Pakistan’s restive northwest region.
One of the deadliest suicide bombing in Pakistan in recent times struck last Thursday at the Lal Shahbaz Qalandar shrine in Sehwan area of southern Sindh province where at least 88 people were killed and over 200 injured in an attack claimed by the IS.