Follow us on Facebook
/AsianStandard or Twitter
@Asian_Standard
Issue 15
@AS TV
21
NEWS
Pakistan mourns victims of Lahore Terror attack by MO BHANA
rare in the city in recent years.
mo@asian-standard.co.uk
Cricket fans had been quick to voice fears that the explosion could derail plans to hold the highly anticipated final of the Pakistan Super League in Lahore.
Security has been stepped up after a suspected suicide bomber has targeted a protest rally in Pakistan's eastern city of Lahore, killing at least 11 people.
Pakistan’s international tournaments have been held abroad for years out of security fears, and the second year of the popular Twenty20 tournament is ongoing in the United Arab Emirates.
The blast occurred when owners of medical shops were demonstrating against amendments to a law governing drug sales in Punjab province.
Officials had already reassured international players they would receive “head of state” level protection in Lahore, with thousands of police deployed and bullet-proof buses.
The blast apparently targeted police managing a busy protest at rush hour on Mall Road, one of Lahore’s main arteries. At least 13 people were killed, including six police officers, while more than 80 were injured.
Furthermore, it has since been disclosed, that Security in Islamabad has been put on high alert to thwart any untoward incidents, a police source said.
The bomber is said to have targeted a rally of drugs manufacturers protesting a new government law in the city of Lahore, said Mushtaq Sukhera, police chief of the province of Punjab.
He said additional contingents of police had been deployed at sensitive locations and important buildings following Monday’s blast in the middle of a protest.
Investigators have found the remains of the body of the suicide bomber, who is said to be in his 20s, the provincial forensic agency said. Uhrar, a previously unknown faction, claimed responsibility for the bombing in an email to media. "It is the beginning of a new operation against security forces in Pakistan," the group's spokesman, Asad Mansour, said. Television footage showed people running in panic and wailing in grief outside hospitals to find out about their loved ones after the bombing. Among those killed were senior police
Pakistanis hold a vigil for the victims officers. Dozens of people were hurt. "The blast was so powerful. I saw the injured and bodies, saw flames surrounding the blast site, people were crying," eyewitness Muhammad Tariq told the AFP news agency. There are fears that the death toll will rise further. Lahore has been repeatedly targeted by militants in recent years.
In March 2016, at least 69 people including children - were killed in an explosion at Lahore's public park. It was crowded with families, some celebrating Easter.
the attack “cowardly” in separate statements, while the EU said it was “shocked and saddened” by the incident.
The attack underscored the challenges faced by Pakistan in its push to stamp out militancy, even though security dramatically improved in 2015 and 2016.
Lahore, the country’s cultural capital, suffered one of Pakistan’s deadliest attacks in 2016 — when a suicide bomber struck in a park last Easter that killed more than 70 including many children.
Both the UK and the US branded
However, such incidents have been
The highest ranking police officer, the Inspector General of Police, Tariq Masood Yasin, said he had directed senior officials to ensure tight security arrangements in their respective areas to avoid any incidents that could cause damage or attacks of any sort. Following these directions, police have started checking at all entry and exit points in the city. Similarly, special police teams are said to be patrolling the city. Police commandos have also been deployed all around sensitive locations and important buildings in Islamabad and throughout Pakistan.
Image : Guilhem Vellut
The blast was so powerful. I saw the injured and bodies, saw flames surrounding the blast site, people were crying. Mall Road, Lahore Pakistan
Muhammad Tariq.