Twin blasts in Pakistan's Lahore, 8 killed, over 35 injured

The provincial government of Punjab tweeted saying it was a generator blast and teams from Punjab Forensic Science Laboratory have reached the spot to collect evidence.

Listen to Story

Advertisement
Twin blasts in Pakistan's Lahore, 8 killed, over 35 injured
Blast site in Lahore (Photo credit: @siasatpk)

In Short

  • Punjab govt said it was a generator blast
  • Nature of blast is still unknown
  • 130 people have died in Pakistan during recent weeks

Pakistan was once again rocked by blasts today in which eight persons were killed and more than 35 injured in Lahore.

A generator blast was reported from a market in Lahore's Defence area killing eight and injuring over 15 people but the nature of the blast was not immediately clear.

Pakistani media reported that a second explosion was also heard from Lahore's Gulberg. Casualties are feared and over 20 were reported to be left injured in the incident on a main boulevard lined with shopping plazas and restaurants.

advertisement

The provincial government of Punjab tweeted saying the first one was a generator blast and teams from Punjab Forensic Science Laboratory have reached the spot to collect evidence.

The province has ordered an investigation into the blast and a report has been sought from the Inspector General of Police.

"The area has been encircled. Nothing can be said about the nature of blast yet," Law Minister Punjab Rana Sanaullah said.

A witness who works at a bank in the market told Reuters that his workplace was shaken by a "frightening" explosion. "We left the building and saw that the motor-bikes parked outside were on fire and all the windows in the surrounding buildings were shattered," the witness, Mohammad Khurram, said.

Pakistan has been struck by a wave of terrorist attacks in recent weeks, killing at least 130 people across the country and leaving hundreds wounded. The worst of the attacks was at a Sufi shrine in southern Sindh province that killed 90 people this month.

Also read | Pakistan: 6 killed, several injured in multiple blasts outside court in Charsadda

Also read | Pakistan report claims website of terrorists behind Lahore blast is being operated from India

Also read | Sehwan shrine attack effect: Pakistan moving heavy artillery to Afghanistan border?