25 killed in Lahore suicide bomb blast near High Court Building
LAHORE: At least twenty people including 19 police personnel were killed in a suicide bomb blast ripped through the GPO Chowk near the Lahore High Court Building. More than seventy people sustained injuries in the explosion that has effected the 50 Kms area shattering windows panes and damaging several buildings.
“It was a suicide attack,” Lahore police chief Malik Iqbal told Dawn News TV. He said police were “definitely” targeted. Police sources said that the blast happened when police officials tried to stop the motorbike rider who blew up himself. “The bomber was riding a motorcycle and blew himself up when police asked him to stop.” However there are conflicting news coming in this regard there has been news that it was a pedistran who was carrying bomb while several TV channels reported that their was Mehran car out of which a suicide bomber came out. Eyewitnesses said the bomb was planted on a motorbike carrying a local number plate and it exploded with a big bang. They feared the death tool could rise sharply as the intensity of the blast was very strong.
Lahore chief of police operations Aftab Cheema said the bomber arrived on a motorbike, parked it near the police guards before running up to the barrier they were manning and blew himself up. The bomber targeted a group of police personnel gathered outside the High Court building, the police added. Police official Muhammed Afzal said that the “powerful” blast took place when police were gathering outside the court building ahead of a protest by lawyers.
It is also reported that this blast occurred during the Lahore High Court Bar Association, Ahsan Bhoon, President Lahore High Court Bar Association told the media persons that Lawyers were going to protest and agitate against the government to restore judiciary and for the rule of law after this meeting, exactly on the place where bomb blasted. He said the rally was also targeted.
President has condemned the blast, he has blamed two commanders of Al-Qaida for a wave of 20 suicide attacks in the past three months, where target was the security forces. All four provinces including Baluchistan and NWFP have been put on red alert. This blast would add fire to fuel to the the turmoil started right after the ms Bhutto death, yet no one has claimed the responsibility yet. Before Muharram police and paramilitary troops are deployed to maintain the law and order situation and to avoid sectarian riots between Suni Muslims and Shiite Muslims.
22 policemen among 24 killed in Lahore suicide attack
LAHORE: At least 24 persons were killed including 22 policemen and over 70 injured in a suicide bomb blast at the busy Government Postal Office (GPO) Chowk here on Thursday.
Police sources said that the blast happened when police officials tried to stop the motorbike rider. He blew himself up after being approached by police. The explosion targeted a group of police officers gathered outside the High Court Building, police said.
A number of people including police and civilians were seen lying motionless in the street. The explosion was horrible as a number of people, including police officers, were lying dead on ground. There are also reports that the ill-fated police officers were deputed outside the High Court Building ahead of lawyers’ protest against the government.
The injured have been shifted to Mayo, Ganga Raam and Services hospitals. Hospital sources feared that the death toll could rise further as most the injured were in critical condition.
Chief Secretary Punjab, Salman Siddque said that it was a suicide attack and the suicide bomber detonated himself close to the police personnel. He said head of the suicider has been found and sent for investigation. Security forces have cordoned off the area and security has been further tightened in the city, he added.-SNA
President, PM condemns Lahore blast
ISLAMABAD: President Pervez Musharraf and caretaker Prime Minister Mohammadmian Soomro Thursday strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Lahore and expressed their deep grief and sorrow over the tragic loss of life. The President and Prime Minister in their separate messages expressed their deep shock over the loss of innocent lives. They directed the law enforcing agencies to gear up their efforts in hunting down the perpetrators. They also issued directives the local authorities to provide best possible treatment to the injured.
President Musharraf while strongly condemning the suicide bomb blast at Lahore has expressed deep sense of sorrow and anguish over the killing of innocent people. He said that the government would not leave any stone unturned to trace out the perpetrators of this heinous crime. Caretaker Prime Minister Muhammadmian Soomro said that those responsible for this cowardly act cannot be friends of Pakistan. Such elements, he said, are neither believer of any religion nor of any human ethics. This cowardly and inhuman act of terrorism would be traced down to the bottom and the perpetrators will soon be brought to book, he added.
The President and Prime Minister prayed to the Allah Almighty to rest the departed souls in an eternal peace and grant courage and fortitude to the bereaved families to bear this irreparable loss. They directed the hospital authorities to take care of the injured and provide all possible facility to them for their early recovery.-SANA
Govt announces compensation for Lahore blast victims
LAHORE: Punjab caretaker Chief Minister Ejaz Nisar has announced compensation of Rs. 300,000 each for the heirs of the dead and Rs. 100,000 each for those injured in the blast on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Punjab Health Minister, Aslam Hamayyun visited the Mayo Hospital in Lahore and enquired about the health condition of the injured in the suicide attack. He directed to the hospital authorities to take all steps for ensuring an early recovery of the injured and to provide them all possible medical facilities free of cost.
Tags: 25 killed in Lahore suicide bomb blast near High Court