13 people die including 2 DIGs in Lahore Mall Road Blast

Lahore : A score of people embraced martyrdom including 2 DIGs Syed Ahmad Mubeen Zaidi , Acting DIG Ops Zahid Mehmood Gondal in Lahore Mall Road Blast,at Chairing Cross right next to the entry point of Punjab Assembly.

The suicide bomber blast his jacket near to the truck  where DIG Traffic Capt (R) Ahmad Mubeen Zaidi and Acting DIG Ops Zahid Gondal were doing dialogue with the leadership of the Pharmaceutical Association to end their protest A blast has just been reported at Charing Cross, Mall Road. There was a protest going on at the scene when the blast took place.

Several have been reported dead and injured at the scene. Rescue teams have arrived at the scene.
The blast took place exactly at the site of Chemist and Druggist Association protest outside Punjab Assembly.

At least 20 people, including senior police officers, were martyred Monday when a suspected suicide bomber hit close to the Punjab Assembly in Lahore when hundreds of demonstrators had gathered for a protest.

According to initial reports, 83 people have been injured in the blast and shifted to the Ganga Ram medical center and other nearby hospitals.

The owners of medical stores in Punjab had announced a demonstration near the Punjab Assembly building to protest the drug rules of the provincial government. The powerful explosion hit when hundreds of protestors were present at the location.

CCPO Lahore Ameen Vaince confirmed that Chief Traffic Officer Ahmed Mobeen has been martyred in the 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 nearby.

Meanwhile, police said that security has been put on red alert in Islamabad.

The Inspector-General of Police Punjab Mushtaq Ahmad Sukhera has said that 13 people had embraced martyrdom and 83 people injured in the blast.

Three bodies had been brought to Ganga Ram, the hospital nearest to the site of explosion, while one body was brought to Mayo Hospital.

At least 23 to 25 wounded were said to be getting medical attention at both hospitals currently.

Scores of citizens also thronged hospitals to donate blood to the wounded.

A notification issued by the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) on February 7 stated that an unidentified terrorist group has planned a terrorist attack in Lahore.

NACTA called for strict vigilance at vital installations including important buildings, hospitals and schools to avoid any untoward incident.
A threat alert had been communicated to Punjab government for Lahore on January 29.