30 killed as bombers wreak havoc in Lahore
Men run as angry protesters burn a vehicle during reaction over after bomb attack during a Shi'ite Muslim procession in Lahore, Pakistan, on Wednesday. At least 18 people were killed and over 100 wounded as three bombs exploded at a Shi'ite procession in the city. (Reuters)
Published: Sep 2, 2010 00:43 Updated: Sep 2, 2010 00:57
LAHORE: At least 30 people were killed and over 200 injured as three suicide bombers targeted a Shiite mourning procession in Pakistan’s eastern city of Lahore on Wednesday evening.
The string of blasts ripped through the crowd at the moment of the breaking of fast in the ongoing holy month of Ramadan, and led to an outpouring of fury as mourners tried to torch a nearby police station. Police fired tear gas shells to force back the surging crowd.
After the blasts, the marchers erupted in fury, setting fire to a police station, another police facility, two police cars and three motorcycles, said Zulfiqar Hameed, a senior police officer. Police lobbed tear gas canisters and fired shots in the air to disperse the crowds.
Hours earlier, four people were wounded in a shooting near a similar Shiite procession in the southern city of Karachi, but senior police officer Iqbal Mahmood said the incident did not target the march. Rangers surrounded the building from where the procession was attacked. According to police, three people were arrested.
Defunct militant group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi has claimed responsibility for the Lahore attacks.
“The mourning process had just ended when I heard three deafening explosions after brief intervals,” Shahid Hussain, a mourner, said with tears rolling down his cheeks.
People cried and beat their heads and chests at the site of the attacks, chanting slogans against the police and provincial government over their failure to protect the mourners, a correspondent on the scene said.
Injured people lay on the ground crying for help amid the remnants of the crowd, while ambulances drove in and out taking away the scores of wounded.
After the attacks, furious mourners also beat the bodies of two suicide bombers with sticks and shoes.
“We have collected bodies of all the three bombers,” said a senior local administration official, Sajjad Bhutta, adding they were still collecting evidence from the site.
He admitted there may have been a lapse in security.
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani strongly condemned the attacks and described them as “cowardly acts of terrorism.”
“Those elements playing with the lives of innocent people would not escape the law of the land,” an official statement quoted him as saying in Islamabad.
Abbas Kumaili, a prominent Shiite scholar as well as a senator, called for three days of mourning over the attack and lashed out at the bombers.
“They are our enemies, both Shiites and Sunnis should remain united and foil their evil designs,” he said.
Meanwhile, a bomb exploded near a police vehicle in the town of Shabqadar in northwest Pakistan, killing one passer-by and wounding 15 people including one police officer, police officer Nisar Khan said.
(With input from agencies)
Comments
ALAWI FRANCIS
Sep 2, 2010 19:23
Report abuseRAHMATOOLA RUJEEDAWA
Sep 2, 2010 21:20
Report abuseIncidents like this one makes us wonder what is wrong with Pakistanis. Islam forbids attacks on people of other beliefs, let alone those belonging to the same ummah.
Among Pakistanis are many who would defraud their fellow brothers and sisters given the opportunity. The cases of innocent foreigners sold to the Americans in the wake of the invasion of Afghanistan has not been forgotten. Was the recent devastating flood a result of past misdeeds? Only Allah knows. But one would expect people to sober up and take notice when such a devastation occurs that Allah may not be pleased with them.
MUHAMMAD RIZWAN
Sep 2, 2010 21:30
Report abusePUNNEN
Sep 2, 2010 22:15
Report abuseSAHIL
Sep 2, 2010 22:21
Report abuse