Powerful explosion rocks Lahore; 13 dead, 73 injured
Tuesday, February 14th, 2017 12:11:35 by fatimaarshad
A suicide bomber detonated his explosives laden jacket near the Punjab Assembly in Lahore, where hundreds of protestors had gathered for a protest. Due to the powerful explosion, 13 people were killed, while scores of others were injured. Senior police officers were also martyred in the blast.
The incident took place on Monday evening outside the Punjab Assembly on Mall Road, causing massive damage. Immediately after the blast, police cordoned off the area on Mall Road, causing traffic jams across the city.
According to sources, as many as 48 injured were brought to the Mayo hospital in Lahore, while 28 others are being treated at other hospitals. The bodies of the deceased were handed over to their respective families after completing the formalities.
The blast took place as hundreds of chemists had gathered to protest a new law near the Punjab provincial assembly building. Chemists and owners of medical stores in Punjab had announced a sit-in protest in front of the assembly to express this dissent over the new drug rules of the provincial government. According to a source, around 400 protestors were present at the location when the bomb went off.
Present at the scene, negotiating with the protestors, were some officers of the traffic police, who wanted the protestors to disperse so that normal traffic operations could resume in the city. Because of that, Chief Traffic Officer Syed Ahmed Mobin and Senior Superitendent of Police Zahid Gondal were martyred.
Immediately following the attack, the entire area was evacuated for fears of a second attack. Only rescue workers were allowed to enter and leave the scene.
Following the blast, high alert was initiated in the federal capital and security was tightened.
Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=54480
Posted by fatimaarshad
on Feb 14 2017. Filed under Latest News, Pakistan.
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