Blast in Lahore
ARY News
The Lahore CCPO’s office and the Rescue 15 center were targeted–both show signs of severe destruction. The Rescue 15 building is located on Fatima Jinnah Road–formerly known as Queens Road. The Police have said that 25 people were inside the building when the blast occured.
As is the case in such scenarios, there are conflicting counts for those injured or killed in this incident. Geo TV’s website reports 10 killed and 83 injured. However, according to Edhi’s services, 30 people have been killed so far. According to the DCO Lahore, 23 people have died due to the blast.
TV news reports say 3 security personnel are among the dead. Watching Express 24/7, they say 120 to 130 people have been injured but that the numbers come from two main hospitals serving the victims right now, which includes Ganga Ram Hospital. The casualties are expected to rise.
Emergency crews are continuing to pull people out of the rubble–and aerial surveillance is also underway at the site. Markets in the surrounding areas have been closed down.
Those in Lahore have been requested to donate blood. Contact 042-756-8724 or 8725 to find out more about the donation process.
Two suspects arrested by the police
According to DCO Lahore Sajjad Bhutta, this was a suicide car bombing. 2 suspects have been arrested by the local police. Eyewitness reports also confirm the incident as a car bombing.
Earlier this morning, I turned on the TV–when the news came of this blast in Lahore. At the time, 150 people were reported injured–and children are trapped inside St. Anthony’s school near the Mall. Now it is reported the students have been sent home with their family members.
It is reported that 35 adjacent buildings have been damaged by the intensity of the blast. Also, that the explosion created a crater 20 feet deep at the site.
I also heard that the windows for Quaid-e-Azam library have been shattered. Friends on Facebook who work near the area also reported shattered windows, falling ceilings.
Blast Site
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Razas Gilani have both condemned the attack.
We here at Lahore Metblogs will keep updating this–as more information comes in.
Do pray for those affected by this tragic incident.
Some news sources for those interested:
Rescue 15’s building has been the worst affected which has totally collapsed killing at least 10 policemen. People have reported continuous gun-fire before and after the blast that was caused by at least 100KG of explosives.
This unfortunate incident has been labelled as a direct reaction of the Swat operation; a reaction which can escalate as the army offensive continues.
Let’s pray all injured are out of danger and safe now!
RIP. I think the Israelis have a hand in this. They have been known to attack police buildings before.
R.I.P.
=(
Does anyone still think that all the hate filled violence we are seeing in Pakistan almost daily has nothing to do with Islam.
dcruchner – True. very true. I agree with you 100% that all this violence has nothing to do with Islam. It involves a clash of ethnicities in Pakistan. The blockade against IDPs entering Sindh and Punjab has further strengthened our belief that us Pashtuns have no place in the rest of Pakistan. Inshallah the perfidious Punjabis, macaca Muhajirs and saste Sindhis will be put in their place. Our only friends are Balochis.
What ever happened, and what ever sighted was not less than a hazard, I feel for those who died in the tragic incident that lahore experienced. Plus guys it’s always a great feeling that Express 24/7 has a viewership, as we strive so hard to provide our viewers the best as it happens.
May we all be blessed
[…] Submitted by florigesse on May 27, 2009 9:07 pmNo Comment Lahore Metblogs reports that 10 grouping hit been killed and near to 100 grouping were scraped as still added slayer move […]