Lahore: A suicide blast at the Pakistani side of the Wagah border on Sunday left at least 52 people dead and a further 75 people injured. Banned militant organisation Jundallah has reportedly claimed responsibility for the explosion.
The District Coordination Officer (DCO) Lahore told the media that ball bearings have been found at the site, pointing to a suicide attack. The DCO further said that the blast took place around 5.50 pm, after the flag-hosting ceremony had ended and the crowd had started to make its way towards the parking lot.
According to reports, the blast took place outside a restaurant. Three Pakistan Rangers were also killed in the blast , with a further five critically injured. A family of eight was also reportedly killed in the explosion.
Jundallah, a military outfit associated with the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), was reportedly behind the 2013 church bombing in Peshawar, which had left 127 people dead and over 250 injured. The group also claimed responsibility for the attack on cleric Fazal-ur-Rehman in Quetta on October 23 this year.
Pakistan Rangers have reportedly sealed off the area as security and rescue personnel have rushed to the site. All hospitals in Lahore have also been put on emergency.
Wagah, lying on the Grand Trunk Road, is the only road border crossing between India and Pakistan.
