Five Data Darbar blast suspects arrested in Lahore

Govt forms JIT to probe attack; death toll rises to 12

LAHORE: Security forces arrested five suspects believed to be involved in the Data Darbar blast on May 8 in the provincial capital. The death toll from the tragic incident has risen to 12 after one of the wounded succumbed to their injuries at the Mayo hospital, officials confirmed.

Meanwhile, a five-member joint investigation team has been formed to probe the suicide blast. A Home department notification, issued on Friday, named CTD RO Sohail Ashraf and Investigation Officer Muhammad Khalid as members of the team. Other included a representative each from Military Intelligence, the Intelligence Bureau and ISI.

The suspects were picked up late on Thursday night as security forces raided Lahore’s Garhi Shahu area after tracing the bomber. Officials said one of the detainees was a rickshaw driver who transported the suicide bomber to Data Darbar.



According to officials, investigators have pieced together CCTV footage from across the city to determine the movement of the attacker. Through the clips, the investigators learnt about a tea stall which had opened in the Garhi Shahu area about three months ago and was frequented by the attacker.

Other footage showed the attacker getting into a rickshaw that took him to the Data Darbar via the railway station, officials revealed. Investigators are also on a lookout for two young men who could also be seen in the footage. They were walking near the bomber outside Data Darbar, all the while speaking on their mobile phones.

According to eyewitnesses, the incident took place near the shrine’s gate number 2 – used as an entrance for female visitors. The bomber detonated his explosives near a vehicle of the Elite Police.

“It was a suicide attack and a police van was targeted,” Punjab Inspector General Police Capt (retd) Arif Nawaz Khan later told the media.

They said the suicide bomber, believed to be 16 years old, attacked the Elite Police van at 8.44 am. He was wearing a shalwar kameez and a jacket. Footage from a nearby CCTV camera shows the suspect walking across the road to the Elite Police van where the blast took place.



The death toll rose to 12 on Friday. Police said 19-year-old Mudasar, a resident of Lohari Gate, breathed his last at the Mayo Hospital. His body was handed over to the family for burial. Nine injured people are still undergoing treatment at the hospital.

Political leaders and people from all walks of life expressed their utter dismay and anguish over the attack.   Prime Minister Imran Khan strongly denounced the blast and sought a report from authorities.

CCOP reviews security situation

Lahore Police Chief B A Nasir reviewed overall the security situation on Friday by paying visits to various spots.

On the first Friday of Ramazan, the CCPO checked security arrangements at Masjid-e-Shohada, Data Darbar and Masjid-e- Khizra.

Lahore police have deputed 1,944 policemen at important mosques under the Ramazan security plan. On the directions of the CCPO, all DIGs, SSPs, SPs, SDPOs and SHOs remained in the field and assured security cover to the faithful.

The CCPO also checked the security of various mosques during Taraweeh. He appreciated the dutiful policemen and awarded them with cash prizes as a gesture of encouragement. He announced that such officials would also be awarded commendation certificates.

“We won’t compromise on the prime duty of protecting the lives and properties of the public. All efforts are being made to keep security measures up to the mark,” pledged the CCPO.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 11^th, 2019.