Pakistan: 9 killed in Taliban suicide-attack near Nawaz Sharif's residence
A teenaged Taliban suicide bomber attacked a police check post near the residence of Pakistan's ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Lahore, killing nine people, including five policemen, police said. The blast took place last night close to a police check post, a few kilometers from the Sharif family's residence, and next to the congregation of the Tableeghi Jamaat center, said rescue officials.
14 policemen among 25 injured in the blast
"Five policemen including two inspectors and three constables are among nine persons killed in the blast," said Rescue 1122 spokesman Jam Sajjad. "Around 14 policemen are among 25 injured. The condition of four policemen is stated to be critical," Sajjad added. The Rescue ambulances have shifted the injured to the Sharif medical complex and other nearby hospitals.
Blast was targeted at the "police personnel"
Deputy Inspector General Police Lahore Haider Ashraf said, "A teenaged boy blew himself up at the check post close to the Tableeghi center where at least 14 cops were present." Adding that the "police personnel" were the target of the blast, he said, "The condition of some injured policemen is critical." "The body parts of the bomber have also been recovered," the officer said.
An injured constable recalls the incident
Abid Hussain, an injured constable, said that he had been deputed at the entry point of the check post to frisk those passing through the area. "I saw a young boy who was trying to enter (the venue), and as soon as my colleague stopped him, I heard a powerful blast," Hussain said, adding that he had lost consciousness after that.
First explosion targeting the provincial capital in 2018
The suicide attack took place a week before the Pakistan Super League's semi-finals in Lahore. Pakistan Rangers quick response force has reached the spot and cordoned off the area along with the police. President Mamnoon Hussain condemned the attack, saying such cowardly acts could not deter the government's resolve to fight terrorism. This is the first explosion targeting the provincial capital in 2018.
