Hizbul Ahrar, an offshoot of the Pakistani Taliban, has claimed responsibility for an attack targeting security forces guarding a Sufi shrine in city of Lahore. Hundreds of pilgrims were inside and outside the shrine, where a local Sufi saint is buried, when the blast took place, reported AP.
Eleven people including, including five police officials, were killed, according to Pakistani police. At least 20 others have been wounded, according to AP.
Initial reports suggest that a police vehicle was the target of the explosion. However, the nature of the explosion has yet to be ascertained.
Blast Death Toll Rises to 11
The death toll rose to 11 on Thursday in the powerful suicide blast outside one of Pakistan's oldest and most revered Sufi shrines in Lahore as another policeman succumbed to his injuries, news agency PTI reported quoting officials.
Imran Khan Condemns Bombing
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan condemned the bombing.
Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar, the governor of Punjab province, told reporters that those who carried out Wednesday's attack were the "enemy of Islam and humanity."
"God willing, the security forces with the cooperation of whole nation will defeat these terrorists," he added.
Death Toll in Blast Rises to 10
The death toll in the attack that was targeting security forces has risen to ten, while 20 others have been injured, reported AP. Lahore police chief Ghazanfar Ali said five police and five passers-by were killed in the attack, adding that the toll could rise as some of the wounded were in critical condition.
Pakistani Taliban Claims Responsibility
Pakistani Taliban has claimed responsibility for an attack targeting security forces guarding a Sufi shrine in city of Lahore which killed eight people, including five police officials, reported Reuters.