Pakistan: Nine killed, 25 injured in suicide blast in Lahore
The explosion occurred near a police camp set up for the security of the annual meeting of the Tableeghi Jamaat.
Nine people, including five policemen, were killed and at least 25 were injured in a suicide blast in Raiwind on the outskirts of Lahore on Wednesday, The Express Tribune reported. Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has a house in the locality.
Lahore Deputy Inspector General of Police (Operations) Haider Ashraf said the explosion occurred near a camp set up for the security personnel deployed for the annual meeting of the Tableeghi Jamaat in Raiwind. Some of the injured, who were taken to a nearby hospital, are in critical condition.
Punjab province Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack, and said he had sought a report from Inspector General of Police Arif Nawaz Khan. The police official declared a security alert in the province, and asked the law enforcement agencies to strengthen the security in the districts.
Chief Minister Punjab has expressed grief and and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in the Raiwind blast. The Chief Minister has extended condolences to the bereaved families.
— Govt Of The Punjab (@GovtOfPunjab) March 14, 2018
This is the first major blast in Lahore this year. A series of terrorist attacks took place in the city in 2017 in which more than 60 people had died.