Eleven people, including five elite force personnel, a security guard and five civilians, were martyred and 30 others sustained critical wounds on Wednesday morning in a suicide attack targeting vehicles of police elite force near the entrance gate for female visitors to the 11th-century Data Darbar (shrine) in Lahore.
Meanwhile, Rescue 1122 officials and police officers rushed to the spot along with a heavy convoy of police forces, and began rescue operation and investigation, respectively.
The injured persons, including two women and three police officers, were shifted to hospitals, where an emergency has been imposed, for their treatment. Some of the patients are said to be critical. Many wounded persons were shifted to the Mayo Hospital.
Hundreds of Muslims were at the Data Darbar as the country marks the holy month of Ramazan. The impact of the blast shattered the windows in nearby vehicles and buildings, bystanders told the media.
“Police was the prime target in this attack. We are collecting forensic evidences to ascertain the nature of the blast. This attack has left nine dead and 24 injured,” said Ashfaq Khan, deputy inspector general of police operations in Lahore.
Many people were wounded and Muhammad Farooq, a spokesman for the city’s rescue services, said at least seven or eight of them were in critical condition.
According to reports, police has determined the age of the suicide bomber to be around 15-16 years and his hand has been sent to the NADRA for fingerprint recognition.
The suicide bomber blew himself up at 8:54am near elite force vehicles at police picket at Gate 2 of the shrine. One of the vehicles was completely destroyed.
Moreover, footage of the attack has been sent to the Crime Investigation Department (CTD) and other investigation agencies.
