LAHORE - A major manhunt was underway for suspects as death toll from the Raiwind suicide blast rose to 10 on Thursday after another policeman succumbed to injuries at a hospital in Lahore. Over two dozen injured including 18 policemen are still under intensive care at different public hospitals.

At least nine people including five policemen died on the spot when a suicide bomber targeted police check-post set up on the Raiwind road to guard a major religious gathering nearby.

Tens of thousands of people were attending the week-long preaching congregation when the suicide blast, claimed by Pakistani Taliban, ripped through the checkpoint. An officer said the bomber had targeted the police.

Police security was heightened in the entire Raiwind city on Thursday morning with massive security sweep.

Heavy police contingents were also deployed around the congregation venue to search the visitors with the help of metal detectors and walkthrough gates.

The funeral prayers for at least six martyred policemen were held at the Police Lines Qila Gujjar Singh on Thursday. The bodies were later taken to their native towns for burial.

Punjab chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Governor Rafique Rajwana, Inspector General of Police Arif Nawaz Khan, Lahore Capital City Police Officer Muhammad Amin Wains and a large number of police officers and military officers attended the funeral prayers.

The relatives and colleagues of the martyred policemen were also present on this occasion.

Moving scenes were witnesses at the Police Headquarters when the bodies were brought in ambulances for funeral prayers. The martyred police were paid rich tributes and a smart group of police presented gun salute to the officers who lost their while fighting back terrorists.

The bodies were later handed over to the families and they were taken to their natives towns for burial.

Two Sub-Inspector rank officers and four Head Constables were among the dead. They were identified by police as SI Manzoor Ahmad, SI Muhammad Aslam, and Head Constables Muhammad Saeed, Muhammad Tanvir, Saeed and Muhammad Naeem Akhtar.

Three of the four civilians who died in the bombing were identified as Amir Afridi, a resident of Kohat, Asif from Faisalabad and Rameez Khan, a resident of Charsadda. Police were yet to ascertain identity of another man who also died in the blast.

The Punjab’s counterterrorism department also registered a criminal case (under Section 109/120-B, 427/34, 353/186, 302/324 of the PPC and T-ATA/1997, and 3/4ESA) against four persons for carrying out the deadly terror strike. According to the FIR registered with Lahore CTD police station, four suspects tried to enter the venue when security officials signaled them to stop for body search.

Three suspects managed to escape while taking advantage of the darkness while their fourth accomplice blew up his suicide jacket.

Punjab Police Inspector General Arif Nawaz Khan while talking to reporters at the funeral prayers said that the Punjab police are playing the role of frontline soldiers in the ongoing war against terrorism and extremism.

He said that the police personnel who embraced martyrdom in Raiwind blast are heroes of the nation who not only set an unprecedented example of their duties by offering their lives but also ensured the safety of lives and properties of thousands of individuals.

According to the police chief, the suicide bomber detonated his jacket during change of duty shift at the police check-post located just 500 meters away from the place of congregation.

“When police personal intercepted the terrorist for checking, he blew himself and caused the death of 6 police personnel and four civilians,” the IGP said. “All wounded persons are being provided best medical facilities in different hospitals.”

The IGP said that police and other security agencies had launched investigation into the blast after collecting and examining initial evidences. “During the course of investigation, all aspects and objectives are being observed and very soon the mastermind of the blast and facilitators will be in the grip of law,” the police chief vowed.

To a question, the police chief said that apparently the motive of blast seemed to destroy the atmosphere of peace and order in the province. He said that his force will never allow anti-social animals and terrorist to fulfill their nefarious designs.

About the security of PSL cricket matches to be played in Lahore, the Punjab police chief said that foolproof security would be provided to all teams and spectators during the PSL matches. Meanwhile, the IGP visited the Lahore General hospital to enquire after injured policemen. He also paid rich tributes to the injured policemen besides admiring their determination, courage and commitment.