14 killed, 60 injured as suicide blast hits protestors in Pakistan's Lahore
ISLAMABAD, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- At least 14 people were killed and 60 others injured when a suicide bomber hit protestors outside provincial assembly in Pakistan's Punjab province on Monday evening, officials said.
Malik Ahmad, Spokesperson of Punjab government confirmed that the killed people included two traffic wardens and two senior police officers.
He said that Senior Superintendent Police Zahid Gondal and Deputy Inspector General traffic police Captain Mobeen who were negotiating with the protestors to give way to the traffic were also killed in the attack.
Local Urdu TV channel Dunya said that the blast happened at about 6:02 p.m. local time when hundreds of chemists and pharma manufacturers were protesting against a newly introduced act by Punjab government at the busy Mall Road of the provincial capital of Lahore.
Quoting traffic wardens, local media said that the suicide bomber coming on a motorbike blew himself up in the crowd.
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Pakistan Taliban claims responsibility for Lahore suicide blast
ISLAMABAD, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- A splinter group of Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for Monday evening suicide attack targeting protestors in capital city Lahore of Pakistan's east Punjab province, which left 14 people killed and 60 others injured.
Asad Mansoor, spokesman for Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan Jamaat ul Ahrar group said in a statement that its member Nasrullah carried out the attack.
Mushtaq Ahmad Sukhera, Inspector General Punjab Police said that the attacker tried to enter the crowd of protestors at about 6:10 p.m. (local time), but blew himself up when a policeman tried to stop him for checking.
The bomber's target was the crowd of chemists and pharma manufacturers who were protesting against a newly introduced act by Punjab government, in front of the provincial assembly the at the busy Mall Road of the city.
The protestors blocked the road for traffic and the blast happened when two police officers including Senior Superintendent Police (SSP) Zahid Gondal and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) traffic police Captain Mobeen were negotiating with them to give way to the traffic.
Sukhera confirmed that the killed people included six policemen.
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