A huge explosion, apparently targetting the Punjab province headquarters of the ISI, rocked this Pakistani city today and several casualties were feared.
A huge explosion, apparently targetting the Punjab province headquarters of the ISI, rocked this Pakistani city today and several casualties were feared.
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The explosion occurred near the Mall Road in the crowded Civil Lines area that houses several buildings, including the Punjab headquarters of the intelligence agency ISI. Pakistani television channels showed images of damaged buildings and charred cars.
There were also reports of firing in the vicinity. A school in the vicinity appears to have not been affected by the impact of the explosion.
Eye-witnesses said children were safe and were being evacuated. The city police headquarters is also located close to the blast site that saw thick smoke billowing into the sky.
Police said it was not yet clear whether it was a suicide attack or an implanted device that went off. The area has been cordoned off.
Police said the blast destroyed several vehicles and many people suffered shrapnel injuries.
The blast comes less than two months after the attack on the Police academy at Manawan, close to Lahore on March 30 this year, when armed gunmen laid a siege resulting in the killing of 10 people including eight policemen.
Lahore was also the scene of an attack on the visiting Sri Lankan cricket team on March 3, in which eight people, including six police officials were killed and six cricketers were injured.