At least 7 killed in Lahore DHA market bombing

Lahore: Pakistan's biggest city Lahore was once again rocked by a bomb blast on Thursday.

The blast occurred at an under-construction building in Y block in DHA area of the city around noon. The area is a popular shopping destination in the city.

Atleast 7 six people have lost their lives and 15 others were injured in the explosion. Some vehicles parked in front of the building also bore the brunt of the blast. Windows of nearby buildings were also shattered.

The explosion triggered panic in the area; the police have now cordoned off the area. the injured are being rushed to the General hospital

Initially, the government of Punjab has issued a statement saying that it was a generator blast. 

Clarification on Lahore Y block blast: It's a generator blast and rescue team has reached the site. Please spread this. — Govt Of The Punjab (@GovtOfPunjab) February 23, 2017

However, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah later said that "nothing can be said" yet about the nature of the blast

"The area has been encircled. Nothing can be said about the nature of blast yet." Law Minister Punjab Rana Sanaullah — Govt Of The Punjab (@GovtOfPunjab) February 23, 2017

However, minutes later, Nayab Haider, a spokesman for the provincial Punjab police said, "It was a bomb attack." Reports later added that the bomb was a timed device.

The Punjab government has ordered an investigation into the blast. The Inspector General of police will lead the probe.

Teams from Punjab Forensic Science Laboratory are also the spot to collect the evidence

Not wanting to take any chances, authorities have ordered all schools in the area to evacuate children.

Within an hour of the blast at DHA Lahore, there were reports of another blast in the upmarket Gulberg area of the city. However, authorities have dismissed the reports as hoax.

Pakistan has witnessed a wave of bombings in the recent past.

Ten days back,  at least 14 people, including two cops, were killed in a suicide bombing near the Punjab Assembly.