Security forces foil terror bid planned for Easter in Lahore

ISPR says a terrorist was killed during the operation while four soldiers and two officers received injuries

LAHORE: Security forces on Saturday foiled a major terrorist attack planned for Easter in Lahore.

The terrorists were planning to launch a major terrorist attack during Easter celebrations in Lahore on Sunday, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. "Security forces conducted a special IBO near Punjab Housing Society, Lahore. A terrorist was killed during the operation while four soldiers and two officers received injuries," the military's media wing said in a statement.



Security forces seized suicide jackets and explosives from the possession of the terrorists. A female suspect was also taken into custody.

In less than two months after the deadly Mall Road attack, terror revisited Punjab’s provincial capital earlier this month when a suicide bomber targeted a census team in Lahore’s outskirts, killing at least seven people – including four soldiers of the Pakistan Army – and injuring 15 others.

Outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) later claimed responsibility for the attack. According to Punjab govt spokesperson Malik Ahmed Khan, the attack took place early in the morning at Manawala Stop on Bedian Road, when army troops were boarding a van, engaged in census duty.



“The blast occurred at around 07.45 am when 17 soldiers of 186 # Census team of District Lahore were boarding a private van parked outside a shop. Soldiers had been gathering at the point for the last four days. From there they would be taken to their designated points of duty,” said a police official.

“Seven people including four soldiers and an officer of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) were killed and 15 injured in the attack. Five of the injured were stated to be in critical condition. Three vans, a motorcycle and nearby shops were also damaged in the incident,” he added.

FC recovered IEDs during an IBO in Loralai. PHOTO: ISPR

Meanwhile, FC Balochistan conducted an IBO in Loralai and recovered a large number IEDs, dumped for terrorist activities in the city.