At least 55 people, including
children and security personnel, were killed and 200 injured in a powerful
blast set off by a suicide bomber at Wagah in Pakistan on Sunday, minutes after
the popular flag-lowering ceremony at the Indo-Pak border.
Officials said that it was a suicide
attack. The explosion occurred in the parking area of the Wagah border.
Pakistani Rangers have cordoned off the blast site.
Al-Qaeda affiliated group Jandullah
has claimed responsibility for the attack, according to Express News. TV
footage showed shops and nearby buildings destroyed.
An emergency has been declared at
hospitals in Lahore. “We received 35 bodies including those of women and
children and 60 to 70 were wounded,” Deputy Medical Superintendent of Ghurki
Hospital near the Wagah border, identified only as Dr Khurram, told TV
channels.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has called for a report on the incident.
Wagah is the only road border
crossing between Amritsar and Lahore. Huge crowds gather every day at the
crossing to watch a “lowering of the flags” ceremony which soldiers from both
countries have conducted for decades.
Inspector General, Punjab Police,
Mushtaq Sukhera said, the attacker approached the gate as the crowd was
vacating the parade area where the flag ceremony is held. “Our teams have
confirmed that it was a suicide blast,” he said.
Earlier reports had said it could be
a cylinder blast.
The IG said the bomber was stopped
at the gate of the parade ground and detonated the bomb right there.
“A large number of people were returning after watching the
Rangers parade ceremony when a suicide bomber blew himself up near one of the
exit gates,” Sukhera said. He said three Rangers personnel were also among the
dead. - See more at:
“Up to 5 kg of explosive material
was used,” Sukhera said. To a question about security arrangements, he
said, “The Rangers had made stringent security measures but it is difficult to
check a suicide bomber.”
Imdad Husain, an eyewitness, told
reporters that he was returning after watching the parade ceremony when he
heard a bang.
“I fell unconscious. When I gained
consciousness, there was darkness. Many injured and I cried for help, lying on
the road. After 15 minutes, some rescue men shifted me to Ghurki Hospital,” he
said.
Samina Bibi was also returning along
with her husband and two young children when the blast took place. On the bed
of the Ghurki
Hospital, she was crying and asking
the doctors about her husband and children. “The doctors were comforting her
saying they are alright,” Imdad said.
Punjab Emergency Services Rescue
1122 spokesman Jam Sajjad told PTI the death toll could rise.
Wagah suicide attack. Jandullah
claims responsibility. Terms it retaliation to Op. Zarb-e-Azb. Militants v/s
women & children. What logic.
“We have shifted about 200 injured to different hospitals of
Lahore,” he said. Quoting a senior doctor at Ghurki Hospital, he said the
condition of over a dozen was critical.