At least 16 people, including two senior Police officials, were killed and several injured in a strong bomb blast at the Chairing Cross, Mall Road near Punjab Assembly Building here on Monday.
Rana Sanaullah, the provincial law minister, confirmed that it was a suicide blast, occurred during a protest, which was being staged by drug dealers against the Drug Act introduced by the Punjab Government.
Sources said that some 400 people were protesting when the explosion took place.
The South Punjab News report said that DIG Traffic Lahore Captain Ahmed Mubin and acting DIG Operations Zahid Ikram Gondal, along with three wardons were also martyred in the tragic incident.
A heavy contingent of police reached the site of the incident. Media representatives were also present at the site of protest when the explosion took place. The protesters were dispersed following the blast.
The explosion was so powerful that it shattered windows of DSNG vans and police mobiles parked near the affected area.
No group immediately claimed Monday´s explosion, but the same faction of the Pakistani Taliban responsible for the Easter blast recently vowed it would continue carrying out attacks.
Social media users were quick to suggest the blast was meant to derail plans to hold the highly-anticipated final of the Pakistan Super League in Lahore.
The second year of the Twenty 20 tournament is currently being held in the United Arab Emirates out of security fears, but after a military crackdown on extremism officials were confident enough to plan for the final to take place in the cricket-mad city.Rescue 1122 confirmed that 69 people were injured in the attack, with most of the casualties shifted to Mayo Hospital and Ganga Ram Hospital.
The Jamat-ul-Ahrar faction of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attack.
"The suicide attacker was on foot," said Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Chief Dr Mohammad Iqbal.
SSP Zahid Gondal of Punjab Police and DIG Traffic Lahore Capt (retd) Ahmad Mobin were killed in the attack.
Hours earlier, DIG Mobin had been seen on television, mediating with the protesters gathered at the site.
Mobin was reportedly negotiating with protesters for an end to the strike and for them to clear the area.
A large group of chemists and pharmaceutical manufacturers had gathered in front of the provincial assembly to protest a government crackdown against the sale of illegal drugs. There was a significant presence of law enforcers in the area while the protest was ongoing.
Up to 400 people had attended the protest, according to an AFP reporter who was on the scene when the explosion occurred.
Rescue services, including ambulances and fire tenders, reached the scene soon after the attack. An emergency was also declared in all hospitals of Lahore.
Contingents of Pakistan Army and Rangers also reached the site.
The security forces cordoned off the area with tents, with the inner cordon taken over by Army personnel. Forensic teams were collecting evidence and had started initial investigations.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the attack and reiterated Pakistan is in decisive fight against terrorism while praising the sacrifices of the slain security personnel.
Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa instructed local military commanders and intelligence agencies to provide all necessary assistance to civilian authorities and arrest those responsible, a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) read.
Terror alert
In a Feb 7 notification addressing the Home Secretary, Punjab, the Provincial Police Officer and DG Pak Rangers Punjab, the National Counterterrorism Authority (NACTA) had warned of a possible terrorist attack in Lahore.
NACTA had directed that all vital installations, including important buildings, hospitals and schools, be kept under strict vigilance.
"Extreme vigilance and heightened security measures are suggested to avoid any untoward incident," the notification added.
Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said that maximum preparations were made after the threat alert was received.
“The spot where the blast took place is always under threat. Even if there was no alert, strict security measures are always taken in the area.”
