Lahore, explosion kills 23

PAKISTAN: An explosion took place in eastern Pakistan’s Lahore city on Wednesday, killing at least 12 people, private DAWN NEWS TV channel reported. The explosion occurred near Civil Lines Office on Mall Road in Lahore, capital city of Punjab province, said the report.

At least 12 people were killed and over 250 others were injured in the blast, hospital sources said.

Firing was also reported when the blast took place.

The DAWN NEWS TV channel quoted the District Coordination Officer in Lahore Sajjad Bhutta as saying that it was a suicide car bombing attack. The rescue team is engage in relief and the rescuers are pulling people from the rubble. Emergency was declared in all the hospitals in Lahore.

The casualty figure is expected to rise. No group claimed responsibility of the blast. Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani have strongly condemned the blast. Enditem

Islamabad, Wednesday, Xinhua