LAHORE: At least two explosions were reported from the Badami Bagh, Fruit Market area of Lahore on Wednesday night, with 23 people injured, reported Express News.
Rescue services and police officials have reached the spot and are shifting the injured to Mayo hospital. The condition of two of those is described to be critical.
There are no reports of casualties as yet, and the nature of the explosions also remains unknown, an offical said.
However, IG Punjab said that the blasts were of low intensity with the objective of spreading fear. He added that the blasts were in reaction to killing a militant in Multan earlier in the day.
"We killed a senior Taliban commander in Multan today, so we were expecting such kind of response from the terrorists. Although nobody has claimed this attack, we can't rule out the retaliation," police chief Habibur Rehman told AFP.
A source said that one of the bombs had been planted under a push-cart, while the second of the two blasts took place in the parking lot near the main gate to the fruit market.
Express News correspondent Fayaz Hussain said that the first blast was a small bomb that went off near a garbage heap which injured two people. The second was relatively larger and blew up 100 yards from the first and injured more people.
He added that police is searching for traces of any further bombs which may have been planted by terrorists.
Security has been raised to high alert in Lahore in the immediate aftermath to reports of the blast. Security checks on all routes leading to and from Lahore have been increased.
FIA directed to assist police investigations
Interior Minister Rehman Malik taking note of the blats in Lahore, directed the FIA to reach the spot and provide all possible assistance to local police to conduct investigations and arrest those responsible for the act.
He also condemned the act, terming them as acts of cowardice.
COMMENTS (16)
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Bomb injuries are painful in all the months of the year.
@Sharjeel Jawaid: Sir please dont blame the Clergy only. Many Politicians are apologetic for them and they find rationales to defend Taliban and actually blame it on America and America is the easiest scapegoat for them. The youth Party stationed in Lahore is a prime example of it.
they should not carry out such kind of terrorist attack in Punjab coz Taliban and Punjab govt ideology is same.
They are from very special branch of Islam, it called misguided as they kill brothers. They have no courge to fight with anti Islam and Pakistanis but ready to kill innocent poor Pakistani, shame on them.
@Awans: The best thing about day dreamers are they keep dreaming while awake, lahore for PTI, no sense of jok, politic on the name of charity and hospital, lahories don't like cheaters, if you are from Lahore you must be knowing this?
@Awans: This may not be the best article to start another neverending political debate brother.
Islam is a religion for peace. I feel for those injured and wish them a speedy recovery. God, please save humanity from these havocs be it the holy month or not.
Was wondering why no blasts for the past couple of days and then this happens. Holy month is used by unholy people to cause fear among the holy.
You guys stop acting like you guys really care. Month of Ramadan, huh! Like there really Muslim. Having beard and a turban doesn't makes u a Muslim.
It is sad to see 23 people get injured during the holy month of Ramadan. We condemn this cowardly act by the terrorists who do not even respect the sanctity of this month of fasting. While we are glad that no life was lost, our prayers go out to the injured for a quick and full recovery.
Dear readers, we must realize that these terrorists who have infiltrated your cities have only one agenda: to spread fear and chaos. They do not care who they kill and they do not care which month of the year it is. We all have to realize that the only way to defeat them is to unite against them and give them no room to operate – just like with the group of terrorists who were arrested in Multan yesterday.
Capt. Joseph Kreidel DET-United States Central Command www.centcom.mil/ur
@Rajendra Kalkhande... Do you know by who planted the bomb? Or you just speculating that the bomb was planted by Islamist.. Please don't bring version of Islam in every matter...
They do it as part of their religious duty. It is most unfortunate that our clergy has never condemned such acts.
@Rajendra Kalkhande:
Whoever told you these murderers are following Islam? They are paid to create problems and they could barely care for any laws set by Islam or humanity.
For God sake have some respect for the Holy month of Ramzan. Which version of Islam are you following?
It's very unfortunate that such incidents are happening despite the Holy month of Ramadan.
So this means Earlier news piece of ET was true that Lahore is the next target for Talibans. Anyway I am sure Lahoris blame it on America as Lahoris are die hard supporter of PTI and according to Imran Khan there is no option of fight with Pakistani Talibans in Waziristan and infact he is going for a long march to greet Taliban in September while they are preparing to kill people of Punjab in coming days.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/415913/police-foil-terrorism-attempt-in-multan/