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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.
The injured people including, policemen, chemists, and newsmen have been shifted to nearby state-run hospitals where a state of emergency has been declared.
Hospital sources said that death toll is feared to rise as nine among the injured people are in critical condition.
Paramilitary troops Rangers took charge of the security at hospitals where the injured people were shifted.
Punjab government announced one day mourning over the incident and the national flag will fly on half-mast at all the government building across the province on Tuesday.
Traders and Lawyers also announced one day mourning and all the markets and courts in the city will remain closed on Tuesday.
Several vehicles including a Digital Satellite New Gathering (DSNG) van of a local TV channel were completely destroyed in the explosion.
Police and contingent from Pakistan army and Rangers reached at the blast site have sealed the area for investigation.
Police also arrested two suspects near the blast site who were shifted to some unknown place for investigations.
Both the country's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and President Mamnoon Hussain condemned the blast and directed hospital administration to provide best possible medical treatment to the injured people.
The PM directed the senior officials of Punjab government to reach at the blast site.
He also vowed to root out the evil of militancy from the country.
Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa also condemned the explosion and expressed sorrow over the loss of precious lives.
He also directed the troops to help civil government to arrest the people involved in the heinous crime of killing innocent people.
(APD)
