At least three people have been killed, with 21 people being injured after a blast rocked Lahore’s Johar Town on Wednesday (today).
Rescue officials say that that the blast took place in Block E of Lahore’s Johar Town near Ahsan Mumtaz Hospital, a densely populated residential area.
Nearby houses and cars have been severely damaged due to the severity of the blast.
Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar has taken notice of the incident, directing IG Punjab to submit a report on the incident.
Meanwhile, Lahore CCPO Ghulam Mehmood Dogar has said that further investigation is underway to determine the nature of the blast.
IG Punjab – Inam Ghani visited the incident site and reassured that the perpetrators behind the attack will be brought to justice.
He also apprised that the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) has taken over the investigation and will determine the nature of the explosion.
Rescue teams have reached the site and are shifting the injured to Jinnah Hospital and nearby medical facilities for first aid.
Following the incident, an emergency has been declared at Jinnah Hospital.
Lahore Deputy Commissioner Mudassir Riaz Malik has issued directives for emergency wards at all hospitals to be on alert.
Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has also taken notice of the blast, conveying his prayers for those killed and injured in the blast while directing Chief Secretary and IG Punjab to submit a report in this regard.
According to the preliminary report submitted to IG Punjab, more than 30 kilograms of explosives were used in the blast which left a 3-foot deep and 8-foot wide crater and caused extensive damage within a 100-square-foot radius.
The explosives were planted onto a car and the device was detonated remotely, says the initial report.
The news is developing, more to follow.