adminISLAMABAD. — At least 45 people were killed and over 70 others injured yesterday evening in a suicide blast near Wagah border in Pakistan’s eastern city of Lahore, a senior police officer of eastern Punjab province said.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mushtaq Ahmad Sukhera said that a suicide bomber exploded his explosive jacket amid a crowd of people who were coming back after attending a flag hoisting ceremony at the border.
Director of the Ghurki Trust Hospital, Naeem Ghurki, said a number of women and children were also among the killed and injured.
The official said the death toll may further rise as a number of the injured are in critical condition.
At least three personnel of Rangers were also killed, and 10 others injured in the blast, a hospital official said.
According to the reports, the incident took place at 5:50 pm. local time outside a restaurant near the first gate of the venue where a ceremony was held.
The flag ceremony is held daily and is attended by hundreds of people on both Pakistan and Indian sides.
Rescue teams, police and security forces rushed to site and shifted the bodies and injured to the hospital.
An emergency state has been declared in all state-run hospitals in Lahore. All the hospitals have also appealed to the public for blood donations for the injured.
Earlier reports said that it was a gas cylinder blast in a restaurant, but police confirmed that it was a suicide attack. — Xinhua.
Online Reporter