LAHORE: At least thirteen people including policemen, women and children while 52 others injured in a suicide bomb explosion in a mourning procession near its concluding point at Kerbala Gamay Shah at Bhat Gate, MS Mayo hospital Dr Zahid Pervez said.
The injured are being shifted to hospital. According to eye-witnesses, the blast occurred soon after azan of Maghrib prayer near Urdu Bazaar Chowk at Lohari Chowk.
The blast was so powerful that its bang was heard far and wide and the intensity of blast was so overpowering that it broke windowpanes of buildings.
Relief teams including Rescue 1122 and ambulances have launched the relief operation. Police put security cordon around the blast site.
Hospital sources said at least 13 people have been rushed to Mayo Hospital. Emergency has been imposed at other hospitals including Ganga Ram Hospital and Services Hospital.
According to Rescue sources, the blast occurred in a vehicle with government number plate; the vehicle was packed with explosives.
District Emergency Officer Dr Ahmed confirmed the killings of at least seven people.
13 Killed in Urdu Bazaar suicide blast:
At least 13 persons have been killed and 52 injured as a suicide bomber blew himself up at Urdu Bazaar Lahore on Tuesday evening at a time when a large number of people were gathered at Karbala Gamay Shah and Data Darbaar to observe Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (R.A) and Urs of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh (R.A).
According to details, police stopped a suspected person for checking but he threw his bag due to which the blast was occurred at Urdu Bazaar chowk. Head of the suicide bomber has been found.
According to our correspondent, 3 policemen are also among the dead. Rescue teams immediately reached the spot and started relief activities. The injured were shifted to Meo Hospital Lahore where emergency was imposed after the blast. Situation of most of the injured is stated to be critical. Cars and motorcycles were also damaged in the blast. Panic and fear prevailed among the people gathered at Data Darbaar. Police cordoned off the area and asked the people to clear the area to avoid any other untoward incident.
CCPO Lahore Aslam Tareen while talking to Dunya News has confirmed that it was a suicide blast and the blast was occurred during checking of a suspected bomber.
