Suspected suicide attack hits Lahore, 26 killed
Nine policemen were killed in the incident.
The official Twitter page of the Government of Punjab (Pakistan) said: "26 people have been confirmed dead, including 09 policemen. 54 have been injured."
#LahoreBlast: 6:45 update: 58 persons injured and 26 people have lost their lives. pic.twitter.com/vRCGVfeePC
— Govt Of The Punjab (@GovtOfPunjab) July 24, 2017
The area was cordoned off by security forces after the blast.
Police sources said a suicide attacker targetted police personnel deployed at the site, Geo News reported.
The blast occurred close to the Arfa Karim IT Tower.
According to reports, several motorcycles and at least one vehicle was destroyed in the blast.
Dead bodies & injured have been shifted to hospital. Evidence is being collected after cordoning off the area - Spokesman CTD Punjab. pic.twitter.com/uO9Y8tLtjF
— Govt Of The Punjab (@GovtOfPunjab) July 24, 2017
The injured people were shifted to Jinnah Hospital and other nearby hospitals for treatment.
Pakistan's Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa mourned the loss of lives in the incident.
Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor tweeted: "COAS shares grief with victim families of Lhr blast. Directs for immediate rescue and relief efforts. Troops reached at site."
COAS shares grief with victim families of Lhr blast. Directs for immediate rescue and relief efforts. Troops reached at site.
— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) July 24, 2017
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