Five member JIT named to investigate Gulshan-i-Iqbal attack

Death toll rises to 74 as two more succumb to injuries

LAHORE: The government on Tuesday formed a five-member joint investigation team (JIT) to probe the Gulshan-i-Iqbal suicide attack as the death toll from the blast rose to 74.

According to a notification issued by the government, the JIT will comprise an SP from the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), a CTD SHO, the Iqbal Town investigation in-charge and an official each from the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Intelligence Bureau (IB).



On Tuesday, 17 year-old Anas Ayub, who had been critically injured in Sunday’s blast, was pronounced dead at Jinnah Hospital. Another victim, Mohsin Zafar, a resident of Jarranwala city, died at Farooq Hospital. Anas’ father Muhammad Ayub Butt and sister Fatima had also been killed in the attack. He was a resident of Charar village, Jarranwala. The death toll from the deadly blast has now risen to 74.

On the third day, the park remained closed to the public. Investigation teams visited the site and collected forensic evidence.

They also recreated the crime scene and made sketches. Late on Monday, senior officers of the Lahore Police had held a meeting at the CCPO Office to review security arrangements for public places.



The CCPO had ordered all the divisional SPs to revise security plans for important installations, buildings and public places such as parks, theatres, cinemas, bus-stands and railway stations. He had directed the SPs to conduct search operations in their respective divisions. The CCPO had also ordered the deployment of the Quick Response Force at several locations.

Meanwhile, a banned outfit claiming responsibility for the attack released pictures of the suicide bomber and identified him as its member.

Earlier, it had been suggested that Muhammad Yousaf, whose identity card was found on the blast site, was the suicide bomber. His two brothers and several other relatives had been taken into custody in Muzaffargarh late on Sunday.

Police had also raided his Lahore residence in Ichhra, but had found nothing suspicious.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 30^th,  2016.