LAHORE: A blast in Lahore’s Anarkali Bazaar area on Thursday left at least three people dead and 23 others injured, police and health officials said.
The deputy commissioner of Lahore said that the explosion took place at around 1:45pm. He said that the location falls under the Safe City project and all the available evidence from the surveillance system is being analysed.
Speaking to the media, DIG Operations Lahore Dr Muhammad Abid Khan said that the investigation is in the initial stage and the nature of the blast is being ascertained.
Commissioner Lahore Capt (R) Muhammad Usman Younis confirmed that at least three people have died as a result of the explosion.
Police believe it a planted device; however, it has not yet been determined whether it was an improvised explosive device (IED) or a timed device. Forensic teams are collecting evidence from the site.
The Medical Superintendent of Mayo Hospital, where the injured were taken, confirmed that the facility received two bodies, 23 injured people and that four people are in critical condition, and was rushed to the operation theatre.
The blast shattered windows of nearby buildings while several motorcycles, parked near the blast site, were damaged.
Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar has strongly condemned the incident. He urged law enforcement to bring the culprits to book at the earliest. “The government shares in the sorrow of the families whose loved ones died or are injured,” he added.
