Death toll in Lahore twin suicide attacks mounts to 31LAHORE: Suicide attackers detonated two huge truck bombs in Pakistan Tuesday, killing 31 people, partly demolishing a police building and deepening a security crisis facing the new government. Another over 160 people were wounded in the attacks in the eastern city of Lahore, which came just minutes apart in the morning rush-hour and left rescue workers scrambling through rubble in a bid to find survivors. The blasts, one targeting the Federal Investigation Agency headquarters and the other hitting an advertising firm, were the latest in a wave of Islamist-linked violence that has killed more than 600 people this year. "I have never seen such a deadly suicide attack," Federal Investigation Agency chief Tariq Pervaz told reporters outside the badly damaged eight-storey headquarters in the heart of the city. There were warnings that the agency's offices would be targeted "but we were not expecting it in Lahore," he said, adding that up to 50 kilos (110 pounds) of explosives were used. Twenty-two people including 12 agency employees were killed in the blast, he said. Two children and two adults died in the other attack on the advertising office, which is a few kilometres away, he said. "There was blood everywhere. I also saw mutilated limbs and body parts scattered around the reception area of the building," said lawyer Wali Mohammed Khan, who was on the second floor of the FIA building when the blast happened. Pools of blood and pieces of human flesh lay outside the FIA building. The explosion tore off the facade, exposing stairwells down which rescue workers could be seen carrying stretchers. Several children at two nearby schools run by Christian missionaries were wounded by flying glass, police said. The agency mainly deals with immigration and people smuggling but the building also housed the offices of a special US-trained unit created to counter terrorism, security officials said. The second attack, by a suicide bomber in the same make of truck, hit an advertising agency in an upscale Lahore neighbourhood, the interior ministry said. It was not immediately clear why the firm was targeted but the office is near the Lahore home of Asif Ali Zardari, the widower of slain opposition leader Benazir Bhutto. President Pervez Musharraf, a key US ally in the "war on terror", condemned the "savage act" and said the "acts of terrorism cannot deter government's resolve to fight the scourge with full force." The explosions came a week after two suicide bombers struck a naval college in Lahore, killing at least five people, in the third attack to hit the previously peaceful city this year. "Terrorists are trying to put pressure on the government-in-making. But I am sure the government-in-making will also have the same resolve to deal with terrorism," interior ministry spokesman Brigadier Javed Cheema said. Pakistan has been combating an Islamist insurgency led by Al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters since Musharraf joined the US-led "war on terror" in 2001, but the violence has soared since the start of 2007. The country has been rocked by six major blasts since the February 18 parliamentary polls, which were won by the opposition parties of the late Bhutto and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Bhutto was killed in a suicide attack in the garrison city of Rawalpindi on December 27. Musharraf on Tuesday summoned the new parliament to meet on March 17 -- finally setting up a showdown with his rivals that could potentially further destabilise the nuclear-armed nation.
13 FIA officials among 25 killed in Lahore twin bombs
LAHORE: At least 25 people including 13 FIA officials were killed and over 200 others were injured when two bombs that ripped through a federal police headquarters and an advertising agency in the Pakistani city of Lahore on Tuesday, police said. The blasts were the latest in a wave of violence across Pakistan that has left more than 600 people dead this year and posed a serious challenge to an incoming coalition government that won elections on February 18. The deadliest blast demolished much of the federal police headquarters in the heart of the eastern city, while the other hit an advertising office several kilometers (miles) away. Two children were among the dead. Shortly after the attacks the Australian cricket team said they were canceling an upcoming tour to Pakistan, due to security fears caused by a wave of violence across the country that has killed more than 600 people this year. Rescue workers in orange jackets frantically clawed through the debris at the site of the blast at the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), which deals mainly with immigration and people smuggling."It was a suicide attack on the FIA office and it was the target," Lahore police chief Malik Mohammad Iqbal said.Lawyer Wali Mohammed Khan, who was on the second floor of the building when the explosion happened, said the blast was "so intense that I was literally blown off my chair." "There was blood everywhere. I also saw mutilated limbs and body parts scattered around the reception area of the building," Khan said. FIA chief Tariq Pervaz said paramedics were "trying to rescue survivors from under the rubble." FIA sources said that at least 13 employees were among the dead. The building also housed the offices of a US-trained special investigation unit created to counter terrorism, which was possibly the intended target, security officials said. Pools of blood and small pieces of human flesh lay scattered on the ground outside the eight-storey building, along with clothes and pairs of shoes that were abandoned by people as they ran away. The second near-simultaneous blast was also caused by a suicide car bomb and hit an advertising agency in an upscale neighbourhood of the city, killing another four people, including two children, police said. "An explosives-laden vehicle was rammed into the office," interior ministry spokesman Brigadier Javed Cheema said. President Pervez Musharraf, a key US ally in the "war on terror", condemned the "savage act" and said that the "acts of terrorism cannot deter government's resolve to fight the scourge with full force," state media said. The explosions came a week after two suicide bombers blew themselves up at a prestigious naval college in Lahore, killing at least five people and wounding 19, officials said. Pakistan has been rocked by six major blasts since parliamentary polls on February 18, which were won by the parties of slain ex-premier Benazir Bhutto and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Benazir Bhutto herself was killed in a suicide attack in the garrison city of Rawalpindi on December 27. The parties at the weekend signed an agreement on forming a coalition government that is likely to take on Musharraf, but it must also grapple with the tide of violence engulfing the country. Pakistan has been combating an Islamist insurgency led by Al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters since Musharraf joined the US-led "war on terror" in 2001, but the violence has soared since the start of 2007. Around 600 people have died since the start of this year in suicide attacks, roadside bombings and clashes, mainly along the Afghan border in troubled northwestern Pakistan but also in major cities. Many of the attacks have targeted the armed forces, police and security forces. The army's top medical officer, Lieutenant General Mushtaq Baig, was killed in a suicide attack in the garrison city of Rawalpindi on February 25.
FIA building declared dangerous
LAHORE: FIA building of Lahore, which was target of a suicide attack on Tuesday, has been declared dangerous by the authorities. A team of investigators probing into the earlier Naval War College bombing was also present in the premises located at Temple Road adjacent to the Mall. FIA investigates into corruption in federal departments. The agency also probes passport scandals, bogus medicines and other relevant crimes. One of the key tasks of FIA is to investigate into human smuggling cases. Eighteen big human smugglers were under investigation with FIA Lahore at the time of the blast; seven of them were taken to courts for hearing of their cases. “Remaining 11 smugglers in the FIA lockup were disappeared after the bombing,” Director FIA Lahore Chaudhry Manzoor said. A high level team that was investigating into the Naval War College bombing was said to be present in the building at the time of the blast. Sharifs condemn Lahore bomb attacks LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League (N) Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif and the party president Mian Shahbaz Sharif have condemned bomb blasts in Lahore. They expressed grief over the loss of precious lives in the incident and cancelled all their engagements of Tuesday.“No religion permits such abominable acts against innocent humans, ” Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif said in a statement released by the party. “Terrorism and lawlessness are the foremost problems faced by the country, which can be resolved with democratic measures,” they added. Politicians, leaders slam Lahore bomb blasts LAHORE: Politicians and leaders from all across the country condemning the Lahore bomb blasts expressed their deep sympathy for the bereaved families.Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) Quaid, Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif have strongly condemned the bomb blasts here, while the PML-N president Shahbaz Sharif postponing his tour of northern Punjab announced his meeting the injured by visiting hospitals.Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-Chairman, Asif Ali Zardari and Senator Raza Rabbani slamming the blasts expressed their heartfelt sympathy with the victims’ families. PPP Vice-Chairman, Makhdoom Amin Fahim also condemned the Lahore blasts and expressed his sorrow with the bereaved families. Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Quaid, Altaf Hussain in his released statement said that the masterminds of the Lahore bomb blasts taking innocent lives of the citizens were the enemies of the humanity. Convener MQM Rabita Committee, Dr. Imran Faruque in his statement of condemnation said that the spate of suicide bombings was part of the conspiracies to destabilize the country. Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Chaudhry Pervaiz Ellahi, former federal minister, Muhammad Ali Durrani and Awami National Party (ANP) president, Asfandyar Wali Khan also expressed their grief and sorrow over the Lahore bomb blasts’ loss of life and property and condemned the incident in strong words. ARD information secretary, Munir Ahmad Khan has termed the Lahore suicide bombings a conspiracy against the Murree Declaration and democracy. Caretaker federal minister, Hamid Nawaz and Sardar Sikander Jogezai also grieved the loss of lives and properties in Lahore blasts. Jamaat-e-Islami (Sindh) Amir, Asadullah Bhutto and Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam (JUI) chief, Maulana Samiul Huque termed the lawlessness, bomb blasts and the loss of valuable lives the result of wrong policies of the governments.PPP (Shaheed Bhutto) Chairperson, Ghanva Bhutto has also lamented over the Lahore bomb blasts.
Altaf strongly condemns Lahore blasts
LONDON: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Quaid Altaf Hussain, strongly condemning the Lahore blasts, expressed his deep sorrow and grief on the scores of fatal casualties including the women and children.In a statement issued here, Altaf Hussain said that that the elements playing with the lives of the innocent citizens masterminding suicide bombing were undoubtedly enemies of the humanity. He said that the spate of suicide bombings in the country was not only a challenge for the government and the persons in authority, but also for the entire nation, which the nation has to tackle standing firm and united. Altaf Hussain demanded from the government tangible measures for combating the terrorists and saving the lives and properties of the citizens. High alert in Karachi after Lahore blasts KARACHI: Security high alert has been declared in Karachi on Tuesday after bomb blasts in Lahore. The security was already tightened in the southern metropolis, which was declared high alert after the Tuesday blasts in Lahore, Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Niaz Ahmed Siddiqui here said. Security has been stepped up at five star hotels, railway stations, airport, markets and key government buildings and other sensitive places in the city. Town police officers, DPOs and SHOs have been directed to increase police patrolling in their respective areas. Moreover, the number of plain clothed officials of the law enforcement agencies was increased at sensitive points. Musharraf strongly condemns Lahore blasts ISLAMABAD: President Pervez Musharraf Tuesday strongly condemned the dastardly series of bomb blasts in Lahore that killed dozens and injured several innocent.President Musharraf said, “The acts of terrorism cannot deter government’s resolve to fight the scourge with full force.”The President in a message termed it a “savage act” not even sparing school going children and said the masterminds behind this gruesome act would be brought to punishment.He directed the law enforcement agencies to gear up and do their level best to prevent recurrence of such acts. He directed thorough investigation of the incidents to reach those who planned the blasts.The President also prayed for all those innocent who were killed and directed the provincial government to ensure that best treatment was provided to the injured. 13 FIA officials among 24 killed in Lahore twin bombsLAHORE: At least 24 people including 13 FIA officials were killed and over 200 others were injured when two bombs that ripped through a federal police headquarters and an advertising agency in the Pakistani city of Lahore on Tuesday, police said. The blasts were the latest in a wave of violence across Pakistan that has left more than 600 people dead this year and posed a serious challenge to an incoming coalition government that won elections on February 18. The deadliest blast demolished much of the federal police headquarters in the heart of the eastern city, while the other hit an advertising office several kilometers (miles) away. Two children were among the dead. Shortly after the attacks the Australian cricket team said they were canceling an upcoming tour to Pakistan, due to security fears caused by a wave of violence across the country that has killed more than 600 people this year. Rescue workers in orange jackets frantically clawed through the debris at the site of the blast at the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), which deals mainly with immigration and people smuggling."It was a suicide attack on the FIA office and it was the target," Lahore police chief Malik Mohammad Iqbal said.Lawyer Wali Mohammed Khan, who was on the second floor of the building when the explosion happened, said the blast was "so intense that I was literally blown off my chair." "There was blood everywhere. I also saw mutilated limbs and body parts scattered around the reception area of the building," Khan said. FIA chief Tariq Pervaz said paramedics were "trying to rescue survivors from under the rubble." FIA sources said that at least 13 employees were among the dead. The building also housed the offices of a US-trained special investigation unit created to counter terrorism, which was possibly the intended target, security officials said. Pools of blood and small pieces of human flesh lay scattered on the ground outside the eight-storey building, along with clothes and pairs of shoes that were abandoned by people as they ran away. The second near-simultaneous blast was also caused by a suicide car bomb and hit an advertising agency in an upscale neighbourhood of the city, killing another four people, including two children, police said. "An explosives-laden vehicle was rammed into the office," interior ministry spokesman Brigadier Javed Cheema said. President Pervez Musharraf, a key US ally in the "war on terror", condemned the "savage act" and said that the "acts of terrorism cannot deter government's resolve to fight the scourge with full force," state media said. The explosions came a week after two suicide bombers blew themselves up at a prestigious naval college in Lahore, killing at least five people and wounding 19, officials said. Pakistan has been rocked by six major blasts since parliamentary polls on February 18, which were won by the parties of slain ex-premier Benazir Bhutto and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Benazir Bhutto herself was killed in a suicide attack in the garrison city of Rawalpindi on December 27. The parties at the weekend signed an agreement on forming a coalition government that is likely to take on Musharraf, but it must also grapple with the tide of violence engulfing the country. Pakistan has been combating an Islamist insurgency led by Al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters since Musharraf joined the US-led "war on terror" in 2001, but the violence has soared since the start of 2007. Around 600 people have died since the start of this year in suicide attacks, roadside bombings and clashes, mainly along the Afghan border in troubled northwestern Pakistan but also in major cities. Many of the attacks have targeted the armed forces, police and security forces. The army's top medical officer, Lieutenant General Mushtaq Baig, was killed in a suicide attack in the garrison city of Rawalpindi on February 25. Lahore twin blasts death toll rises to 20 LAHORE: The death toll as a result of twin blasts in Lahore has increased to 20 and dozens others have injured the sources said.At least sixteen people were killed in suicide attack in the FIA building and four others were killed in Model town blast, the police said.One blast occurred at Lahore model Town Block-F near to Bilawal House and residence of Lahore City Nazim Amir Mehmood. The other blast occurred at FIA Office near Mayo hospital at Temple road.According to the preliminary investigation it was suicide attack at FIA Office. The attack occurred at about 920AM. Two suicide bombers entered into the FIA building, one blew himself up at the gate and the other managed to enter inside the building to target the people present in the building.The dead bodies and dozens injured have been shifted Lahore Mayo hospital, the sources said.The police and rescue team are busing in rescue activities in the city. The fear has gripped the area due to blasts. Bomb scare in National Institute of Health building ISLAMABAD: It is feared that a bomb has been planted in National Institute of Health, the sources said. The building has been evacuated after the reports of the bomb. The bomb disposal squad has been called in to search the building.Death of 12 persons confirmed in Lahore twin blasts LAHORE: Several people are feared dead as a result of twin blasts in Lahore, eyewitnesses said. The death of 12 people has been confirmed so far.One blast occurred at Lahore model Town Block-F near to Bilawal House and residence of Lahore City Nazim Amir Mehmood. The other blast occurred at FIA Office near Mayo hospital at Temple road.According to the preliminary investigation it was suicide attack at FIA Office. The attack occurred at about 920AM. Two suicide bombers entered into the FIA building, one blew himself up at the gate and the other managed to enter inside the building to target the people present in the building.Over 15 bodies and dozens injured have been shifted Lahore Mayo hospital, the sources said.According to an eyewitness he saw one person dead and three others critically injured at model town.The police and rescue team have reached on the spot. The fear has gripped the area due to blasts. Several killed in Lahore twin blasts LAHORE: Several people are feared dead as a result of twin blasts in Lahore Tuesday morning, eyewitnesses said.One blast occurred at Lahore model Town Block-F near to Bilawal House and residence of the city Nazim Amir Mehmood. The other blast occurred at FIA Office near Mayo hospital at Temple road.According to the preliminary investigation it was suicide attack at FIA Office. The attack occurred at about 920AM.Over ten bodies and several injured have been shifted to Lahore's Mayo hospital, the sources said.According to an eyewitness he saw one dead and three others critically injured at model town.The police and rescue teams have reached on the spot. Fear has gripped the area due to the blasts.
One killed several injured in Lahore twin blasts
LAHORE: At least one person was killed and several people were injured as a result of twin blasts in Lahore model town. The blasts occurred at Lahore model Town Block-F near to Bilawal House and residence of Amir Mehmood.The police and rescue team have reached on the spot. The fear has gripped the area due to blasts.Explosion rocks Lahore model town LAHORE: An explosion has rocked Lahore model town, however, the nature of the explosion is yet to be ascertained.The explosion occurred at Lahore model Town Block-F near to Bilawal House and residence of Amir Mehmood.The police and rescue teams have reached on the spot.
