LAHORE, May 8: At least ten people including five elite force personnel were martyred and 25 other sustained wounds as a suicide bomber blew himself near a van carrying an elite police force outside the Data Darbar shrine, Lahore, sources reported on Wednesday. Talking to media Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab Arif Nawaz confirmed that the blast was suicide in nature as they they found remains of the bomber.
“The bomber targeted elite force vehicle deployed at gate no 2 of the Data Darbar”, he continued.
Two out of five elite force personnel who lost their lives in the blast were identified as Shahid and Saleem, said rescue sources.
Earlier, DIG Operations Lahore Ashfaq Ahmad Khan had confirmed three police officials died in the blast. A security guard and a resident were also among the dead.
At least 24 people are being treated for injuries, some of whom are in critical condition, he added.
Getting information of the blast, the police and rescue teams reached the spot.
The bodies and injured were moved to Mayo and General hospitals of the city, some of the patients are said to be critical.
The security forces have cordoned off the area and started collected evidence for their investigation.-Agencies
