| Three killed, 28 injured | President Alvi, PM Imran, Shehbaz, Maryam condemn blast | Punjab 
CM says those responsible will not be able to ‘escape clutches of the law’

1.5-kg explosive material used, a building, 8 motorcycles damaged: Police

9-year-old Absar had come to see Anarkali Bazaar

LAHORE   -  A powerful bomb blast ripped through Lahore’s crowded Anarkali bazaar on Thursday, killing three people and wounding over 28 others, police and rescue workers said.

A police official told The Nation that it was a bomb blast in the busy market during rush hours. Apparently, he said, a time device rigged to a motorcycle exploded outside a shop in the market. A nine-year-old boy was among the three dead in the incident, he said.

Lahore Commissioner Muhammad Usman told reporters that two people were killed on the spot and 28 others injured in the blast which took place at the Paan Mandi in Lahore’s famous Anarkali bazaar. 

According to media reports, a Baloch terror group claimed responsibility for the deadly bombing, the second such attack in last 8 years. In July 2013, four people, including a six-year-old girl, had died and over three dozens wounded when a bomb ripped through the same locality, Old Anarkali Food Street on The Mall during rush hours. Initial investigations revealed that it was a time-controlled device rigged to a motorbike that caused the blast, which shattered windows of nearby shops and buildings.

President, PM condemn blast

President Dr Arif Alvi Thursday expressed grief over the loss of lives in the blast in Lahore. In a message of condolence, the President prayed Allah Almighty to rest the departed souls in eternal peace and grant courage to the bereaved families to bear the loss with fortitude.

Condemning the blast, Prime Minister Imran Khan urged authorities to provide the best medical facilities to the injured. He also sought a report from the Punjab government

Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar said those responsible for the blast will not be able to escape the clutches of the law and directed the inspector general of police to submit a report on the incident. The injured were shifted to the Mayo Hospital where two succumbed to their injuries, according to the Rescue 1122. 

Four injured in critical condition

Mayo Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Iftikhar said that two persons including a boy succumbed to their wounds on the spot. Another expired during medical treatment at the hospital while the condition of four of the injured was said to be critical. 

Lahore DIG (Operations) Abid Khan said that the impact of the blast had left behind a crater which suggested that it was caused by a bomb. He said the police teams were collecting evidence. “We will reach a conclusion on the basis of their analysis,” he said.

Lahore Deputy Commissioner Umer Sher Chattha, meanwhile, said that the blast took place in the last lane of Anarkali bazaar, close to Circular Road. He said the explosive material was planted in a motorcycle which was parked outside a bank in the area.

He also confirmed that three people had died in the incident, adding that the nature of the blast would be determined by the Forensic Science Agency, the Safe City Authority and the bomb disposal squad.

The DC said that two of the injured were in critical condition while the wounded were being treated at Mayo Hospital.

1.5-kg explosive material was used: Police

According to the preliminary investigation report of the blast, which has been submitted by the Inspector-General of Punjab to CM Punjab, the explosion was carried out with the help of a planted device. As per details, a 1.5-kilogramme explosive material was used which damaged a building and eight motorcycles.

The report mentioned that the blast was heard at 1:40pm; while a call from an unknown number was received at 1:44pm informing the authorities that a blast has been heard in Lahore’s Anarkali area after which the police and rescue officials rushed to the place of incident.

Who were victims?

The deceased persons were identified by police as Muhammad Ramazan, 31, a nine-year-old boy Absar, and 23-yaer-old Yasir Ali. The injured were identified as Arslan, 17, Anwar, 45, Shair  Zaman, Muhammad Jamil,  Abdullah, Salman Ahmad, Muhammad Sami,  Ijaz,  Salman , Haider,  Zaheer Iqbal,  Muhammad 

Adeem, Ahmad, Bilal, Faisal Saeed, Tahir Hafeez, Haider Tahir, Azhar, Zawar Khan, Wahid, 

Faisal Butt, Nabeela Bibi, Nisha Salman, Rida and two unidentified.

A brother of one of the dead told reporters at Mayo Hospital that his family resides in Muridke and that his brother Ramzan had come to work after a holiday. He said Ramzan used to  work for a mithai (sweetmeat) business. Ramzan, who his brother said was 31 years old, left behind a four-year-old daughter.

On the other hand, Absar’s maternal uncle also spoke to the media at the hospital and said that the family was staying at a hotel near the Anarkali Bazaar area. 

“We had come to show the Anarkali Bazaar to our kids when the explosion occurred,” said the uncle.

“We had booked return tickets for Karachi for this evening. Now we won’t go to Karachi. We will go to Muzaffarabad,” he said. The bodies of both Ramzan and Absar have been taken to a mortuary for an autopsy.

‘Incredibly sad and disturbing’

PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz said that a blast in an area like Anarkali was incredibly sad and disturbing. She prayed for those killed and injured in the incident. PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the incident and extended condolences to the families of those killed in the blast.

“I am deeply saddened by the loss of precious lives in a blast in Lahore’s historical and lively area of Anarkali,” he tweeted. He added that an incident of terrorism in Lahore, following one in Islamabad was not a good omen for the country. He also prayed for the complete recovery of those injured in the blast.