LAHORE — At least eight people were killed and dozens injured in an apparent attack on Lahore’s police headquarters on Tuesday, hospital sources told Dawn. The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) later claimed responsibility for the attack, according to Dawn newspaper
The spokesperson for the Jamaatul Ahrar faction of the banned TTP, Ehsanullah Ehsan, told Dawn that the attack was carried out by the splinter group.
The blast took place near the main gate of Police Lines in Lahore’s Qila Gujjar Singh area. According to preliminary reports, it took place in a vehicle parked in the area, however, there are some unverified reports that it was carried out by a suicide bomber.
Huge plumes of smoke were visible in the air in the heavily populated area which was quickly cordoned off by security personnel.
Several vehicles parked near the site of the blast caught fire and window panes in nearby buildings were also shattered.
A police Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) was among those killed in the attack while the wounded also included a policewoman, according to police sources.
Inspector General Punjab Police Mushtaq Sukhera told media representatives that the target of the attack was police lines but chances are that the bomber may have been searched on his way inside so he exploded himself prematurely.
He added that, “Ever since operation Zarb-i-Azb began the army has been taking action against militants… and this was perhaps in reaction to that. We will examine CCTV footage to get more details on the attacker.”
He further said that 5-8 kilograms of explosives were used in the blast.
Khawaja Salman Rafique, the Punjab government’s adviser on health, confirmed that four people had died while 23 others were wounded in the blast. He added that the condition of one injured was reported as critical.
Giving a breakup of the patients, he said that six patients were admitted in Mayo Hospital, 13 in Ganga Ram Hospital and four others were brought to the Services Hospital.–c. Dawn
