The blast site is a popular food street that sees a lot of people come for a night out. PHOTO: ABID NAWAZ/EXPRESS
LAHORE: A powerful bomb went off at at the food street in the old Anarkali area of Lahore, killing at least three people and injuring 40 others, Express News reported.
According to Express News correspondent Nauman Shaikh, the explosion took place at the ground floor of a three storied restaurant.
"Civil defence officials said that this was a bomb blast," Shaikh said, adding that officials believed between two to three kilogrammes of explosives along with ball bearings and other objects were used in the device.
Shaikh added that rescue services had arrived at the scene and are shifting the injured to the Mayo and Gangaram hospital. He added that there were as many as 40 people were present at the scene when the bomb exploded. At least five of those injured have been described by doctors to be in critical condition. Doctors confirmed recovering ball bearings from victims.
The Punjab Health minister Tahir Sindhu told Express News that three people had died, including a child and that 37 people were injured. He added that all the senior professors and doctors were working at the hospital to treat the injured.
Later Federal Minister for Railways Saad Rafique also visited the site of the blast.
Compensation packages amounting to Rs0.5 million for the dead and Rs0.1 million for the injured were announced by the provincial minister.
Law enforcement personnel have also arrived at the scene and have cordoned off the area. Bomb disposal squad is investigating the blast site and conducting a search of the surrounding area.
An eye witness, Mohammad Azam told Express News that he was passing through the area with his wife when a "powerful blast took place" at a juice shop.
Azam said that he saw at least three bodies and that up to 15 people had been injured, and after the explosion people fled towards the market.
"I still cannot hear anything in my right ear. A lot of glass is littering the area."
Old Anarkali and the food street is a popular public spot and is frequented by people especially on the weekends.
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seems the taliban/extremists didn't get the 'bhatta' on time from the sharifs to keep away.
Cant understand why Punjabis are offended by Umer's comment??? He just said that LeT, LeJ are home to Punjab. So whats wrong with that??
From today I am boycotting all Express services which incl. Tribune, Express News, Daily Express, atInterenet Magazine. I don't want this type of hatered every day in my home
@Mena: I think your analysis is opposite of the truth. Despite Jhang being the birthplace of Shia-Sunni tension, Shahbaz Sharif has somehow managed to halt the bloodshed in Punjab. It looks like you've never heard about the hazara genocide which compels you to think that Punjab is the most racist province.
@Mena Pervez: You are right. Punjab has always been the hotbed of religious extremism. Way back in 18th century a boy named Haqikat Rai was executed in Sialkot on charges of Blasphemy. Then a person called Alimudin who is a celebrated Ghazi, murdered a Publisher called Rajpal in Lahore. There is no other place in Indian sub-continent where such incidents took place. Massacre of 1947 also took place mainly in Punjab. Hotbed of India-Pak enmity is also in Pakistani Punjab.
The terrorists don't have any religion,humanity and sympathy but only do have barbarism,brutality and cruelty...... How long we are going to face the killings/slaughter of the innocent and sinless people in the bomb blasts and how many more people shall be the target of the terrorists and how long the government shall see it silently by just giving condemning statements and when practical steps shall be taken to uproot the terrorism from Pakistan??????
@Umer: Perhaps the cosy arrangement is over.
@Umer: agree with both your comments
Reaction of a drone strike happened yesterday in Waziristan...!
While people are being killed on the streets of Pakistan by terrorists from waziristan, imran khan wants airforce to shoot down drones do that they don't kill terrorists, Supreme Court is busy dealing with stupid hearings for and against govt decisions, sharif family is hoilidaying in china and doesn't confront these thugs and will never condemn lll
Could even by Bhatta Mafia flexing its muscle now in Punjab...globalization this trade
I think the cowards who did this will be caught soon enough. They are trying to undue stability and development in the Punjab but I am sure that the people of Lahore are made of much stronger stuff. They will show the cowards that they cannot cause trouble in Lahore to please foreign agencies!
@Inam:
punjabi mindset caused unfathomable pain to Banglaees in 1971. Punjabi generals were responsible for creating Pakistan as a security state. It is a mere fact. Indian Muslims from Northern and Southern India brought with them culture, tahzeeb and concept of civil society during the partition. I am not a Pakistani but interested in Sub continent history.
But I thought they were our brothers?
@ Umer
I understand your frustration. It is mostly because of the impression given by Rehman Malik and some people in Media. . The reason Punjab has less terrorism is because we reject fundamentalist political parties. When terrorists don't have logistics support, they find it hard to do this. . I have Pathan friends. They have problem with 'western' style of Punjabis. They too hate terrorism, but often defend Taliban (and believe in conspiracy theories more than we do).
Must Be The Bad Taliban.
Let's take this punjab versus others comments in another light. . The reason it hurts us more in Punjab because we never gave seats to fundamentalist parties (look at KP and baluchistan Assembly. Even Karachi has Jamat's seats). . We never gave our Sons to Taliban like some people in Swat handed our their sons to bring Shariah. . No one deserves terrorism, but people of Punjab have always rejected them. This is why it is a big news for us.
Now, this was the handiwork of 'good' or 'bad' terrorists?
Very sad incident more so because Punjab and its people are not used to losing fellow citizens as people are in other parts of the country.
@Umer Agree with you Umer, Talibans have been asked to conduct their business elsewhere in Pakistan and spare Punjab, and as we see, Taliban operations are indicative of their complete compliance
Now lets see if the honourable chief minister of Punjab would cut short his China visit and rush back to Lahore to express his support to the victim families and monitor the investigation.
home of terrorists is not punjab. All of us know where do they belong
The Sharifs root to make the monthly payment. Terrorists don't like delay in payments. Next time Sharifs will either travel during the middle of the month or else one of the dons shall stay behind.
PTI chief Imran Khan has not issued a statement so far. Does he think people in Anarkali are responsible for drones?
Now the terrorists have attacked Pakistan. The other provinces belong to other countries.
ET well it is my last comment on this website and the last time i am going to visit the website or ever read this newspaper but shame on you for not removing the comments of Umer and it clearly showed your hatred against one region. Anyway now it is my challenge to launch a better and more powerful news channel that will not originate from Karachi and will not be biased against anyone and then i will let you know that what is meant by Journalism. Shame on you again and your Journalistic policies
I can understand prime minister visiting china. but he is accompanied by chief minister of punjab? why? why not other three chief ministers? and it is against good governance protocol to send more than one important person abroad at the same time. amazing that chief minister is enjoying joy rides in bullet trains of china while his own province is burning. this is pakistan.?
If you are in the area, Instead of feeble comments , go down to the shops affected and hospitals and help people with food, medical aid , funds and moral support. Show that you can overcome. Idle chatter is useless.
Is it just me or has anyone else also noticed that in-country terrorist attacks seem to be inversely proportional to drone strikes, i.e., the less of the latter leads to an increase in the former. Just saying ...
@Akram:
But never do anything against TTP aad Lashkars as they are brothers. Right?
@umer: Why is truth about Punjab is always equated as anti-Pakistan? What about rights of other provinces that are being looted by the big brother? Where should I start?
It has been six days, last being the bomb in Quetta and then there was somewhat peace away from these blasts yet other things were happening and then they struck again, and they will strike in Ramadhan as well, Astagfirullah...these people (all the curse words directed to them) don't have time rest before they are at it again. Please leave innocent people alone. If they have a prob, attack the politicians, but why are you attacking innocent people? So many Pakistanis have been killed! The world calls us terrorists, but do they realise who are dying as a result of the terrorists? Pakistanis! Ya Allah please help us! I was having a discussion with my mum today and she said the best time was Ayub Khan's time. Dictator or not, Pakistan has never had a bloodless history. Please Allah fulfil my duas for my beloved country before it's too late! I'm in the process of being a doctor. In Sh Allah I can help my country the best I can!
Another event of significance, sadly I feel sorry for those injured, as they are alive and have to continue to deal with their lives and bills and rest of the headaches too, as member of this pathetic society, which simply has no idea as to who they really are ! This is not Islam ! Trust me, and I am not a Muslim, but do know that no religion allows for this sort of carnage on daily basis on the innocent people ! This is all due to your Leaders flawed policies which are backfiring in your own turf now ! Where is the Strategic in killing your people ? The questioned that should be addressed to the Army ! Those assets are now turning on you on daily basis, and you are not capable of dealing with them !
@Umer: every one knows where these terrorists live and you seem to belong there....
TTP & co. seem now to be openly challenging the authority. Blame is shifting on to the Government for each day of inaction
@Mehreen Awan: not a right comment for Mr Umer but he is right in the fact that terrorist rarely target lahore/punjab which potentially has higher capability to effect govt decisions. Infact this might be first attack in whole tis year while in KPK on average two three such blasts take place.
the blood bath they do in KPK and baluchistan thats unnoticed and unfelt by centre and punjab based politcal(PML N) party might lead to greater frustration among those people
@Details please "..which restaurant?? people should be able to know so they can check on their relatives. ET please tell us the name of the exact restaurant.." From my relatives in lahore, it is the Bukhara Restaurant but nobody is sure as there is lots of confusion.
Inna lillahe wa inna ilahi rajioon. :( @Mehreen Awan "..@Umer Most of you who comment like this actually love to live in Punjab and many of you can be found in Pindi.." However sad this blast(bombing?) is, people (like Umer) outside of lahore and punjab do have a point as they have been suffering bomb blast everyday and watching army/agencies doing nothing. Only bright side (for lack of better word) of this explosion is that the army/intelligence agency will,hopefully be put under pressure to go after all kind of lashkars and terrorist by the NS. Also, the ghairat brigade/PTIians, most of whom have never been exposed to this daily mayhem, will stop chanting 'it is not our war' and calling talibans/lashkars our 'brothers'.
@Umer: Which resources you talking about. Punjab is facing the worst loadshedding than any other province. Ok keep your resources and let us construct kala bagh dam....:P
@Umer: Terrorists have no religion, nationality or Province. Your comments are highly offensive to millions of people from Punjabi origin. May I remind you East Pakistan tragedy happened because of dividing people on language basis for political gain. May Allah protect my Pakistan from Khyber to Karachi ( including my homeland Punjab)
Very unfortunate incident. Devastating! The number of injuries reported is huge. Accidents can have very bad injuries. God help the victims.
Why is it that everything that's anti- Pakistan somehow finds its place in the comments of ET? I have been trying to post comments for a long time....and it never gets published. Just goes to show either you are posting these hostile comments in favor provincialism yourself or merely giving space to ratchety folks from India.
@Asif: Are you serious, and have you been reading the news for the past five years?
@rg: Pakistan will have cricket tournaments in it... Inshallah
@ Umer And you call yourself a Pakistani? It is such a shame that we have people like you who make a mockery of the dead and injured and play the ethnicity card with their parochial view of the world. If, God forbid, something egregiously bad happens in Swat,Swabi or Karachi I feel bad for Pakistan. Because at the end of the day, international community will not point its fingers to a specific area, Pakistan will take a blow on the international front.
I Heard all Sharif family is out of country today... They must be here with people.
@Mehreen Awan: Well said. Though you could have been more blunt and named them. We all know where they come from. It's the curse of having a neighbouring country which sends millions of refugees.
@ Umer And you call yourself a Pakistani? It is such a shame that we have people like you who make a mockery of the dead and injured and play the ethnicity card with their parochial view of the world. If, God forbid, something egregiously bad happens in Swat,Swabi or Karachi I feel bad for Pakistan. Because at the end of the day, international community will not point its fingers to a specific area, Pakistan will take a blow on the international front.
It is high time that we go after all Sarabjits and send them to where they belong - the gallows. Incidents like these are testimony of the fact that law enforcement agencies have failed. Not convicting and going after terrorists is the catalyst for these incidents. If the law enforcement agencies cannot handle it, the common people will take the law into their own hands and go after these Sarabjits. Do not test the people. Raiwind league, are you listening?
Condemn
@Umer: Your naive comment doesnt deserve a response, yet we would prefer if you keep your hatred to yourself.
In the words of PTI's Shaukat Yousafzai : "dhamaka hi tau hua hai, konsa qayamat agae hai." ("It's only an explosion, not the end of the world")
@Umer: How can you say punjab is the home to terrorists? Karachi has bomb blasts every day than it means actually karachi is the home to terrorists.Punjab is more peaceful than the rest of Pakistan and thats the thing that bothers everyone alot thats y everyone is against punjab!
@Mehreen Awan: It hearts when delivered to your doorstep and you laugh and support by reasoning when such acts happens else where in Pakistan. Is not it?
which restaurant?? people should be able to know so they can check on their relatives. ET please tell us the name of the exact restaurant
While chief minister Punjab is enjoying bullet train ride in another part of the planet with his whole family.
@Mehreen Awan: Instead of blaming each other We should launch FIRs against those leaders who never condemn these acts and thus provide support to these terrorists and their acts. They are Co-Offender and Collaborator and deserve equal punishments.
Its the prime time for the Nawaz Sharif to start dialogue with these killers. JI and IK will support you cordially.
I wish I wish I wish I had enough money to move out along with my family in a better place. :(
Sad.
ET do you know in Punjab more than 90 million people live?. Approving a comment of Umer allured whole of Punjab as terrorists and making fun on such occasions does show your biased approach against one region and also it shows us your Irresponsible behavior in such crucial times. We dont need any enemies as most of the time our own naive and biased people act as a catalyst to Polarize the society and your platform is taking its full part in it.
@Mehreen Awan:
Actually I don't, really. But I take your point. As resources of other provinces are diverted towards Punjab so understandably its more liveable than other provinces who are being starved of their own resources, by Punjab.
What is the army waiting for? Go to North Waziristan and South Punjab. Don't wait for political consensus since it will never come due to the presence of Taliban apologists.
Just another day in this godforsaken country :(
Blast in Food Street Lahore. Anything new? Let's condemn and move on! Human life doesn't matter in Pakistan now!
Express Tribune read your Own Moderator Policies before Approving comments. Calling some Ethnicity as terrorists is against your own Moderator rules. I know ET is owned and run by those people who hate Punjabis but sometimes it is a too much.
@Umer Most of you who comment like this actually love to live in Punjab and many of you can be found in Pindi, Lahore and the same regions against whom you spit against the same people. Reveling and blaming on such occasion is as barbaric as this act.
Blast in Food Street #Lahore . Anything new? Let's condemn and move on! Human life doesn't matter in #Pakistan now!
Pathetic, this is very sad just after the CM left the country these extremists make their way to lahore after Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta. This shows Pakistan is really in a chronic situation of peace and indeed not even safe for citizens.
@Umer: pathetic comment and an insult to people who have died over the last decade
Sad news RIP
More terrorist incidents have been happening since the PML-N government came into power. The previous year wasn't as worse. I am starting to miss the PPP government.
I hope it will be accidental but if it is not the case then it is a repeat of 90s bombing where new of economic uplift of Pakistan frustrated Many and they killed scores of innocents in many bomb blasts and Sarbijit Singh and many bombers were later arrested who confessed to be a part of this malicious campaign..
Inna lillahe wa inna ilahi rajioon. RIP.
And Pakistan wants cricket tournaments to be held in this country? Well, it costs nothing to dream
Must be a gas explosion or something. Terrorists don't do attack Punjab for obvious reasons. Why would they attack their own home?