Death toll in Lahore blast climbs to 24

[Waqas 48]

LAHORE: As many as 24 persons including 14 policemen and 10 civilians were killed while 328 others injured including 50 of them seriously when a powerful blast ripped through Rescue-15 office here Wednesday.

According to police sources, five persons riding a van broke the barrier of the two-storey 15 building at Queens road, resorted to firing on security officials and exploded 100 kg explosives’ laden vehicle. The blast was so powerful that it also caused severe damage to adjacent building of security agency and a petrol pump besides shattering windowpanes of a number of buildings in the area.

About 27 vehicles including 14 in a showroom opposite to the Rescue office and 10 motorbikes were badly damaged.

Emergency was declared in all city hospitals including nearby Ganga Ram, Mayo and Services hospitals.

DG Punjab Emergency Services Dr. Rizwan Nasir told Geo news that 12 bodies were brought to Mayo Hospital, eight in Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and two in Services Hospital.

He said that 23 rescue vehicles including modern machinery was deputed for the operation and the first one reached the spot within two minutes time.

Out of total 328 injured, six were Traffic Wardens, 48 policemen, five women and 267 other citizens.

The MS Mayo Hospital Zahid Pervez told that 105 injured persons were brought to the hospital.Sir Ganga Ram Hospital received 146 injured while 74 were brought to Services Hospital three to Jinnah Hospital.

Commissioner Lahore Division Khusro Pervez told newsmen at Services Hospital that two suspects had been arrested and were being investigated.

He said joint investigation team was conducting probe and it is too early to say that the blast was similar to the one that had hit FIA office here.

He said thorough scrutiny of all victims including deceased and injured would be carried out and they would be handed over/discharged after their identification. The information thus ascertained would be utilised for preparing complete data about the victims, he added.

Punjab Senior Minister Raja Riaz Ahmed who visited the site of the blast and later hospitals to enquire about the health of the injured talking to newsmen said cowardly acts of terrorists could not shatter the confidence of security agencies and resolve of the government and the nation to root out terrorism from the country.

Punjab Law Minister Rana Sana Ullah Khan who also visited the site of the blast told newsmen that Indian hand behind the suicide attack cannot be ruled out.

He said that police and security agencies were thoroughly probing the blast incident so as to reach the real mastermind.

He said it was due to effective security arrangements that terrorist bid to hit Rescue 15 building directly was foiled adding “If they had hit the building directly, the loss would have been much more”.

He said all benefits as per compensation package of Chief Minter Punjab would be provided to heirs of each police official martyred in the incident including Rs. 20 lakhs, free education of their wards and full salary till their retirement age.

Reiterating Punjab government’s commitment to fight terrorism till its elimination, Law Minister said all political parties should play their role positively, instead of exploiting such issues of national importance for political motives.