The death toll from a suicide blast near the Wagah border crossing between Pakistan and India rose to 57 as more injured victims succumbed to their wounds on Monday, Express News reported.
Over a 100 people are said to be in critical condition following the suicide attack near the border on November 2. The suicide bomber struck near the food and tea stalls and the death toll and damage could have been tenfold had the suicide bomber managed to enter the parade ground.
A low-key yet emotional flag lowering ceremony was held at Wagah Border a day after a deadly suicide killed over 50. Watch the video, bound to give you chills, here:
10:45pm
United Nations Secretary-General Ban-ki Moon has condemned the Sunday’s terrorist attack.
According to a statement issued by spokesman for the secretary general on Monday, Ban Ki-moon strongly condemned the attack, and expressed his condolences to the families of those killed in the attack, to the people and the government of Pakistan.
He also wished those wounded a quick recovery.
“Such terrorist acts are not justifiable under any circumstances,” said the statement.
The secretary-general urged the Pakistani authorities to bring those responsible to justice.
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8:48pm
German Ambassador Dr Cyrill Nunn has condemned Wagah tragedy and expressed sorrow and grief over the loss of precious human lives.
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8:33pm
Punjab government spokesperson on Monday said that a joint investigation team comprising officers from the police, ISI, Rangers, Special Branch and Counter Terrorism Department, for inquiry of the incident has been constituted, which will submit its report within the next three days.
He said people’s enthusiasm during the flag lowering ceremony at Wagah border on Monday is a proof that the nation rejects terrorism, and supports Pakistan Army in its fight against militants.
Provincial Home Minister Col (retd) Shuja Khanzada said that after receiving secret information regarding terrorism threats on October 31; joint security measures were taken.
He said 24 more police officials were deputed on joint check post, besides increasing joint checking and patrolling.
“The team also included women officials,” he said, adding that foreign involvement in the incident could be ruled out.
Adviser to Chief Minister on Health Khawaja Salman Rafique said the best treatment facilities were being provided to the 88 injured persons in government hospitals.
Rafique added that special arrangements were made in all city hospitals, and all possible cooperation was being provided to the attendants.
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8:23pm
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has expressed sorrow over the Wagah Border attack, Radio Pakistan reported.
Ghani telephoned Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and expressed sorrow and grief over the loss of precious human lives in the Sunday’s suicide attack.
Afghan president said the government and people of his country stood with Pakistan in this hour of trial.
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8:08pm
Intelligence agencies have detained two suspects from Lahore, Express News correspondent Noman Sheikh reported.
According to sources, the suspects are involved in Wagah border suicide attack.
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7:30pm
Express News correspondent Sajjad Shafiq Butt says investigators have found a second suicide jacket from the ticketing counter of Wagah Border’s parade ground.
The jacket was approximately filled with 10kg of explosives, and 2500 ball bearing bullets.
Express News screengrab of the second suicide vest
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7:10pm
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain has censured the government for lacking the intelligence resources and capacity to deal with the deteriorating law and order situation.
Read the full story here.
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6:52pm
"Trade movement through trucks between India and Pakistan has stopped for now," a senior official of Customs Department (Amritsar) told PTI today over phone, DNAIndia reports.
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6:22pm
Mourners gather around the bodies of blast victims in Lahore. PHOTO: AFP
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5:53pm
Batapur police on Sunday registered a case of the suicide attack near Wagah Border under the Explosive Act against 'unknown persons'.
According to police, the case has been registered under Act 302, 327 and 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act.
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5:46pm
More than 85 people are still under treatment in various hospitals of Lahore as a consequence of the blast that took place near the Wagah Border on Sunday, reports our correspondent Ali Usman.
17 patients are under treatment at Ghurki Hospital, of which nine are in the ICU. Further, 47 patients have been admitted to the Services Hospital, while 12 are at the General Hospital and others have been admitted to the Mayo Hospital
Read here for the full story.
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5:40pm
Indian and Pakistani intelligence agencies both picked up plans for an imminent strike on the Wagah border ahead of a suicide blast that killed 57 people on Sunday, and heightened security possibly averted a more devastating attack, according to Reuters.
Read the full story here.
Indian Border Security Force (BSF) personnel stand guard at the Wagah India-Pakistan International Border on November 3, 2014, following a suicide bomb attack on the Pakistani side of the Wagah border gate. PHOTO: AFP
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5:38pm
DG ISPR Asim Bajwa tweets in support of the Wagah Border ceremony and elimination of terrorism.
Flag lowering ceremony at #Wagah Border held with same fervor, shows resolve of the nation.We stand united to eliminate Terrorism
— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) November 3, 2014
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5:06pm
Lauding the bravery of the crowd that turned up to watch the ceremony, Lahore Corps Commander Lt Gen Naveed Zaman said these attacks cannot diminish the zeal and enthusiasm of Pakistanis.
Road signage (top R) to cities in Pakistan is pictured as Indian tourists arrive to watch the daily retreat ceremony. PHOTO: AFP
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4:59pm
The ceremony has ended on an emotional note almost 24 hours after the devastating attack.
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4:51pm
The crowd has been asked to rise as Rangers and troops prepare to lower the flags. People can be heard chanting 'Pakistan Zindabad'.
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4:46pm
Corps Commander Lahore, DG Rangers and police officials are in attendance at the ceremony.
Despite the fatal attack, a large crowd -- including women and children -- are attending the ceremony.
Express News screengrab of the ceremony underway.
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4:44pm
The United States condemned on Monday the ‘senseless’ act of terrorism at the Wagah border and offered to help Pakistan.
Read the full story here.
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Among the dead was a mother and her seven daughters who were visiting Lahore from Samundri. Their bodies were sent to their town today for burial.
As the police wait for post-mortem reports before handing over the bodies to relatives, angry family members protested outside Mayo Hospital against the delay in process. So far, 44 bodies have been handed over to victims' families, while the rest are still held by the hospital.
The bodies of three friends who had come to witness the Wagah parade from Karachi were also sent home for final rituals. The three boys were identified after their pictures were uploaded on Facebook.
Bodies of six victims killed in the blast have been sent to Karachi for burial. According to Edhi, the bodies include those of two women as well.
High security
With an increased number of security personnel patrolling the area in the wake of the attack, an improvised explosive device (IED) and a suicide jacket was found in the area. The IED was taken away from the area and safely defused.
Police and other security officials continue to search the area for evidence and explosive material.
JIT
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif ordered the formation of a joint investigation team to probe the incident.
After the interior ministry issues a notification in this regard, members of various intelligence agencies will investigate the deadly incident and submit a report to the government in next 24 to 48 hours.
Condemning the attack, US Ambassador to Pakistan Richard Olson also offered to assist in investigating the deadly terrorist assault.
Pakistan, India call off border ritual
India and Pakistan have suspended a daily military ritual on their main land border crossing after the blast, the first time the colourful parade has been called off since the two countries went to war in 1971.
"It is the first time we have suspended the ceremony after the war. The ceremony was not suspended even during Kargil," India's home ministry spokesperson KS Dhatwalia said on Monday, referring to a 1999 conflict in Kargil.
India's home ministry said India's Border Security Force agreed to a Pakistani request to suspend the flag-lowering ceremony to allow mourning.
Every day, thousands of Indians and Pakistanis flock to watch the elaborate show where border security officials kick their feet high and grimace in mock aggression in a peacock-like display of patriotism.
The crowds pack out bleachers set up on either side of each country's border gates, which are adorned with large, facing portraits of their founding fathers, Mahatma Gandhi on the Indian side and Mohammed Ali Jinnah on the Pakistani side.
An Indian Border Security Force personnel carries the Indian national flag prior to unfurling at the Wagah border. PHOTO: AFP
Punjab chief minister announces financial assistance for victims
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Monday announced a compensation worth Rs500,000 for the families of each victim of the suicide attack, Radio Pakistan reported.
The families of critically injured people will receive Rs75,000 and families of those who received minor injuries will receive Rs25,000, according to a government spokesperson in Lahore.
Shahbaz also condemned the suicide attack, and said the entire nation stands by the armed forces who are engaged in a war against terrorism.
The Punjab chief minister also visited victims of the Wagah Border blast at the General Hospital in Lahore, where he reviewed arrangements and directed authorities to provide the injured with medical facilities.
The chief minister also sought a report on the incident from police and the district administration.
Yesterday's live updates of the blast can be viewed here.
COMMENTS (7)
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A deplorable attack. Understandable that some in Pakistan may have felt it necessary to have a strong showing at the ceremony the next day. The Indian side was empty, reportedly out of respect for those who had lost their lives on the other side the previous day. Can this ceremony not be converted from a "confrontationist" symbolism to a more "Aman ki Aasha" and friendly raising of peace slogans and prayers for peace?
The continuation of flag hoisting ceremony is a big slap on the face of terrorists & their dialogue-supporters.
Another failure of the local government and their security agencies. Newspapers like "Naya Akhbar" in Lahore had the plans of this attack as their headline in their October 28th print. Here is a lose translation of what was the headline on the 28th:
"While lowering flags of Pakistan and India, plans to blow up the Wahga flag changing ceremony.... Suicide bomber has reached Lahore"
When even a little known paper published this report and everyone knew about this, why did our security agencies not postpone general attendance of the ceremony till the culprit was arrested? Why did they not provide an even higher level of fool proof security? Why is high security only reserved for the so called VIP's? When is someone from the government or the security agencies accept responsibility and resign?
Most unfortunate, according to the reports the suicide bomber was roaming in the area for quite some time, where are those X Ray machines and other detectors imported from China & Turkey must be installed at the VIP residences, from our taxes costly equipment is used to save lives of our corrupt leaders while the poor toil hard but die at the hands of devils who claim that they are Muslims.
If there were warnings that Wagah was going to be targeted why were the people not warned? Why wasn't the carnival stopped for a few days. people visiting a place must be warned about potential risks. If it was USA there would have been lots of law suits.
It's very unfortunate indeed. What was the fault of these poor people to be slaughtered in such a fashion? As much as the perpetrators are to be blamed the state cannot escape scot free. Whenever a state is involved in a battle with external forces who refuse to acknowledge their authority the foremost thing required is to cement the internal security so as to prevent incidents like wagah. Look at the internal security of USA where inspite of that states adventures or misadventures all over the globe no one dares attack their innocent civilians. So yes if our military is doing an operation in the tribal areas it was the duty of the civilian government to beef up the internal security rather than promoting vip culture.
Why does misfortune only hunt the poor and have nots?All these ordinary people wanted to do is to enjoy a Sunday outing at the border.It really is disturbing specially when one sees all those innocent women and children being worst affected.My heart felt sympathies with the families of the bereaved,May God give them strength to bear this loss.Some silly misguided person can cause so much pain and anguish.