A suicide blast near the residence-cum-office of Pakistan's Punjab province Chief Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, in Lahore killed at least 26 people, and wounded 57 others. Among the deceased are 9 policemen, claimed government sources.
The blast occurred near the Arfa Kareem IT tower, at the entrance of the Kot Lakhpat Vegetable Market on Ferozepur Road, as a per an IANS report.
Police sources claim that a suicide attacker targeted policemen deployed at the site, according to Geo News. The area has been cordoned off by a heavy contingent of security forces. Some vehicles were reportedly damaged in the explosion, claimed Geo News.
Nineteen people are being treated at the Lahore General Hospital, six at Jinnah Hospital and 14 at Ittefaq Hospital, according to the Government of Punjab province.
The government issued a statement using its official Twitter handle:
Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s office tweeted:
A fire erupted after the explosion shattering the glass panes of nearby buildings, claimed a report by IANS.
(This is a developing story. More details are awaited.)
(With inputs from PTI, IANS, Geo News)
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