Lahore: A suicide bomber targeting Pakistani security personnel blew himself up Wednesday outside a revered Sufi shrine in Punjab province, killing at least 10 people, including five police commandos, and injuring 25 others as the country marks Ramzan. One security guard and three civilians were also among the dead
The powerful blast took place around 8:45am (local time) outside gate number 2 of the Data Darbar shrine, the largest Sufi shrine in South Asia, where the elite police personnel were deployed for security after a suicide attack in 2010, police said. The condition of four other policemen is stated to be critical.
Punjab Inspector General Police Arif Nawaz told reporters that it was a suicide attack and seven kilograms of explosives were used in the blast.
“The target of the suicide bomber was the vehicle of the Elite Force that was stationed outside the shrine of Sufi saint Ali Hajvari commonly known as Data Darbar,” Nawaz told reporters.
The impact of the blast shattered the windows in nearby vehicles and buildings, Pakistani media reported. Television footage showed a number of damaged vehicles near the shrine.
Lahore deputy commissioner Saleha Saeed told media that one of the dead bodies brought in to Mayo Hospital was that of the suspected attacker. “It was a suicide attack. Ball bearings were also used in the attack,” she told reporters.
Mayo Hospital medical superintendent Yar Muhammad however, put the death toll to nine. “We have received nine persons, including policemen dead. The condition of six injured is critical and doctors are trying their best to save their lives,” he said.
Prime Minister Imran Khan and other leaders condemned the attack. The premier expressed condolence to the bereaved families and directed authorities concerned to provide best possible medical treatment to those injured in the blast.
In 2010, the shrine was targeted in a suicide attack that killed more than 40 people.