LAHORE: At least 45 people have been killed after an explosion took place near the Wagah border on Sunday night, DawnNews reported. Outlawed militant group Jundullah claimed responsibility for the attack. Punjab police chief Inspector General Mushtaq Sukhera told AP that the bomb exploded outside a restaurant near a paramilitary soldiers checkpoint at Wagah border on the outskirts of Lahore city. He also added that the explosion could have been the result of a suicide blast. Relatives gather around the bodies of blast victims after a suicide bomb attack near the Wagah border. -AFP Photo Lahore police chief Amin Wains confirmed it was a suicide attack. “People were returning after watching the parade at Wagah border when the blast took place. Ball bearings were found at the scene,” he said. Nearly 70 people have also reportedly been injured in the explosion. Emergency has been declared at all hospitals in Lahore. Prime Nawaz Sharif has taken notice of the explosion and called for a report on the incident. Wagah is the only road border crossing between the Indian city of Amritsar and the Pakistani city of Lahore. An Indian security official told Reuters that the Indian side of Wagah border is “safe” after blast on Pakistani side. --- TTP splinter group Jundullah claims responsibility --- Jundullah, the outlawed group behind a suicide bombing that killed at least 78 Christians at a church in Peshawar last September, claimed responsibility for the Wagah border attack. The spokesman of the splinter group of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Ahmed Marwat via telephone said that the attack is a reaction to military operation Zarb-i-Azb and Waziristan operation. Jundullah and the much larger Pakistani Taliban are among loosely aligned militant groups that frequently share personnel, tactics and agendas. Claims for specific incidents are often hard to verify. --- Scenes at the hospital --- As most of the dead and injured were shifted to the nearby Ghurki Hospital, reporters said the premises was swarming with police, security agencies and the families of victims. Hospital administration confirmed that at least 40 dead and over 50 injured have been received by hospital authorities. “We received 35 bodies including those of women and children and 60 to 70 were wounded,” Deputy Medical Superintendent of Ghurki Hospital near the Wagah border crossing, identified only as Dr Khurram, told domestic television channels earlier. Later, medical superintendent Dr Iftikhar confirmed that over 100 people have been brought to Ghurki Hospital. More injured have been shifted to Lahore hospitals as GH does not have the capacity to treat further patients. --- Timing of explosion --- The explosion reportedly took place as the Rangers concluded the ceremony at Wagah, and the flags were being lowered. For years, a military flag-lowering ceremony that takes place every evening at the Wagah border post, which draws crowds of partisan tourists who cheer every hostile strut and stare traded by the border guards on both sides. --- DG Rangers confirms suicide blast --- Director General Rangers Punjab Khan Tahir Khan confirmed that the explosion is a suicide blast. The parade venue is about 600 metres ahead of the blast site. Because of the strict checking the suicide bomber detonated the bomb away from the parade venue. --- Blast site --- Footage shows shops and nearby buildings destroyed at the site of the blast. Security and rescue personnel rushed to the site of the blast. Journalists have been instructed to clear the area, which the Rangers have cordoned off for security reasons. Forensic teams are currently present at the site and are collecting evidence as part of the investigation. An eyewitness speaking to DawnNews said people were coming out of the shops when the bomb explosion took place.There were several bodies at the scene of the blast. It was a very powerful blast.” This is a developing story and will be updated accordinglyDawn News
Posted on: Sun, 02 Nov 2014 16:26:08 +0000
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