Three killed, 28 hurt as bomb blast blows up prize bond shop in Lahore

A huge bomb explosion rocked Lahore’s busiest shopping market on Thursday killed three people and injured 28 others including four in critical condition, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

A heavy contingent of police rushed to the blast site – a prize bond shop – in Anarkali Bazaar near Lahore’s historic Walled City. Police said that over one kilogram locally made bomb was used in the blast.   

Rescue 1122 officials said that two dead were identified as 31-year-old Muhammad Ramzan and 9-year-old Absar. Absar’s maternal uncle Faizan said the victim belonged to Kashmir and was shopping at Anarkali before moving to Karachi with his uncle Faizan.

The injured include Jamil (50), Abdullah (22), Salman (37), Salman (31), Samiullah (24), Ejaz (25),  Arslan (17), Anwar (45), Sheikh Zaman (18), Zaheer Iqbal (54), Muhammad Adeem (32), Ahmed (27), Bilal (30), Faisal Saeed (27), Tahir Hafeez (33), Haider Tahir (35), Ashad Khalid (20), Azhar (42), Zawar Khan (50), Waheed (21), Faisal Butt (21) and three women—Nabeela Bibi (45), Nesha Salman (25), Rida Khalid (22).

Later, 18-year-old Yasir succumbed to his injuries as the death toll reached three with 28 injured still admitted to the hospital and three are in critical condition.

Prime Minister Imran Khan and Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar sought reports from the relevant authorities and ordered the best medical facilities for the injured. Punjab IGP also took notice of the blast and sought a report from Lahore CCPO.  

Punjab CM Usman Buzdar said that the blast near Anarkali Bazaar Lahore was a vicious act of sabotaging the atmosphere of law and order. "We share the grief and pain of the families of those killed in the blast and instructions have been given to provide the best medical care to the injured."

انارکلی بازار لاہور کے پاس ہونے والا دھماکہ امن و امان کی فضاء کو سبوتاژ کرنےکی مذموم کاروائی ہے- دھماکے کے ذمہ دار قانون کی گرفت سےنہیں بچ پائیں گے-

ہم دھماکےمیں جاں بحق افراد کےاہلخانہ کےدکھ اور درد میں برابر کےشریک ہیں- زخمیوں کو بہترین طبی سہولیات فراہم کرنےکی ہدایات دی ہیں-

— Usman Buzdar (@UsmanAKBuzdar) January 20, 2022

The police took control of the situation cordoning off the blast site at Paan Mandi in Anarkali. "Initial investigations show that it was a time-controlled device on a motorbike which was the cause of the blast," Rana Arif, spokesman for Lahore police, told AFP.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dkGAVHGfoI

The shop caught fire after the explosion reducing it to ashes as forensic experts said that a time device was used to detonate the bomb.

Three people including a nine-year-old boy were killed and 28 others were injured, eight of them seriously. The wounded were rushed to the nearby Mayo Hospital.

Police earlier said that it appeared to be a cylinder blast while the Rescue 112 officials said it looked like a bomb blast.

DIG Operations told newsmen at the blast scene that the nature of the blast will be determined after receiving the final report of the technical experts.

Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid 

Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid talking to media persons said that Mayo Hospital doctors, professors and medical staff were providing medical facilities to the injured persons. 

She said that the health department along with the Home department has been conducting the forensics of the blast site and details will be shared accordingly.

Dr Yasmin Rashid said four patients are in critical conditions and doctors are operating them. 

CCTV Footage

As per the price bond shop CCTV footage, the blast occurred at 1:45 PM.

Prime Minister Imran Khan, JUI-F supremo Maulana Fazlur Rehman, PMLN Vice President Maryam Nawaz Sharif, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, PMLQ supremo Chaudhary Shujaat Hussain and PA Speaker Pervez Elahi condemned the blast incident.    

Reporters: Fahad Bhatti, Abid Chaudhary, Ali Ramay