At least 72 people were killed and over 250 wounded in a late Sunday night suicide attack in Gulshan-i-Iqbal Park of Allama Iqbal Town in Lahore. Most of the victims are women and children.
The blast took place in a public park in Lahore where Christian families were celebrating Easter.
Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan Jamaatul Ahrar took responsibility of the attack.
Women mourn the death of their dear ones in Lahore blast. dawn
The blast was just outside the exit gate of the park and a few meters away from the children’s swings. The area is a renowned residential area of Lahore.
According to Dawn, eye witnesses said there were pools of blood and scattered body parts spread across the site of the attack.
The site of the blast after the explosion. en.people.cn
The screams of children were heard as people carried the injured in their arms. While others searched for their dear ones in the heart-wrenching scenes at the park near the centre of the city.
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif announced a three-day mourning in the province.
The injured being taken away to the hospital. bbc
A statement released from the office of Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif said that he chaired a meeting at the PM house where his security advisers briefed him.
Lt Gen Asim Bajwa, the director general of Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) tweeted about the developments of the Lahore blast:
#COAS chaired a high lvl security mtng.Amongst others DG ISI,DG MI attended.Having evaluated initial info,COAS directed concerned comds&-1
— Gen Asim Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) March 27, 2016
Int agencies to commence ops asap to find linkages&perpetrators of Lhr suicide attk. COAS resolved that we must bring the killers of our-2
— Gen Asim Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) March 27, 2016
innocent brothers,sisters&children to justice &will never allow these savage inhumans to over run our life and liberty-3/3
— Gen Asim Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) March 27, 2016
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called PM Sharif after the Lahore blast and expressed his condolences.
Heard about the blast in Lahore. I strongly condemn it. My condolences to families of the deceased & prayers with the injured: PM
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 27, 2016
Vikas Swarup, official spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs tweeted:
During the conversation, PM @narendramodi underlined the need for uncompromising efforts to fight against terrorism.
— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) March 27, 2016
Prime Minister of United Kingdom David Cameron tweeted:
I’m shocked by the terrorist attack in Lahore. My thoughts are with the families and friends of the victims. We will do what we can to help.
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) March 27, 2016
Rahul Gandhi also tweeted:
Strongly condemn the terror attack in Lahore. My thoughts & prayers are with the families of the victims of this senseless violence
— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) March 28, 2016
Former President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf tweeted:
I am outraged to learn about the multiple suicide attacks targeting the Christian community and innocent… https://t.co/v2FH68pWAo
— Pervez Musharraf (@P_Musharraf) March 27, 2016
The United States termed this a “cowardly” attack, vowing to work with Pakistan to defeat those sowing terror in the country.
National Security Council spokesman Ned Price said in a White House statement that US “condemns in the strongest terms today’s appalling terrorist attack in Lahore”.
