New Delhi: A bomb targeting police outside a major Sufi shrine in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore on Wednesday killed several people and wounded dozens, officials said. Pakistani newspaper Dawn said at least nine people were killed and 28 injured.
The blast, occurring one day after the beginning of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, took place close to the Data Darbar, one of the largest shrines in South Asia. The target was reportedly an Elite Force police vehicle. Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Arif Nawaz confirmed to Dawn that five Elite Force officials were killed in the blast. Four civilians also lost their lives in the attack.
“It was an attack on police that left several dead and dozens of policemen and civilians injured. The target was police,” said Syed Mubashir Hussain, a spokesman for the Lahore police.
A police vehicle destroyed by the blast. Credit: Pakistan police
The attack follows a period of relative calm in the city, where attacks were at one time common.
“A rescue operation is under way and we have shifted 15 people to hospital,” said Muhammad Farooq, a spokesman for the city’s rescue services.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility.
Sufis have been attacked by hardline Sunni Muslim militants in the past.
(With Reuters inputs)