Pakistan bombing: Five DEAD and several injured in attack near Sufi Muslim shrine, Lahore
A TOTAL of five people have died following a bomb explosion at Sufi shrine in city of Lahore, Pakistan.
Pakistani police confirmed the deaths and said the attack wounded several people. The blast reportedly targeted a van carrying the Elite Force of Punjab Police, according to Geo News. Three people who died were police officials, according to Geo News.
Up to 18 victims have been brought to Mayo Hospital as four are in critical condition, Geo News reported.
A Punjab police spokesman Nayab Haider said: “Police officers are among the wounded”.
The blast took place close to the Data Darbar, one of the largest shrines in South Asia.
Hundreds of pilgrims were at the Data Darbar site as the country marks the holy month of Ramadan.
Lahore’s police chief Ghazanfar Ali said his officers were the intended target of the attack, DW reported.
He added the death toll could rise.
Footage shows a damaged police vehicle which has been badly burned.
A police investigation has been launched as access to the shrine has been blocked.
The attack follows a period of relative calm in the city, where attacks were at one time common.
In 2010, dozens died in two suicide blasts at the shrine after two suicide bombers attacked the area.
At least 42 people died while 175 others were hurt in the attack, according to BBC News.
The structure of the shrine was also damaged in the attack.