Lahore attacks death toll climbs to 81

LAHORE: At least 81 people have been killed and 125 others sustained injures when terrorists in city’s two areas, Garhi Shahu and Model Town, started firing following blasts Friday.

As per latest details, the operation against the attackers has been completed in both the areas, while three terrorists have been killed according to DCO Lahore Sajjad Bhutta.

The wave of terror once again struck the city after Manawan Police Training Centre and attack on Sri Lankan cricket team. The offices of security agencies have also been attacked in the city in last two years.

The worship places of Ahmadis have been targeted this time where several people who were busy offering prayers were trapped.

The bodies and injured have been taken to different hospitals of the city where emergency has been declared.

The police, rangers and other law enforcement agencies rushed to the sites and cordoned off the road.

Twelve people have been killed in Garhi Shahu while 15 killed in Model Town.

The firing once again started after a gap of two hours where two police officials, SP Maroof and SHO Majid, sustained injures.

The fear prevails in the city while several people including women were seen running here and there in search of their beloved ones.

Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah told SAMAA that the operation in Model Town has been completed. “The operation in Garhi Shahu is in final phase.”

He said that the law enforcement agencies have held two terrorists, adding that two suicide jackets have also been seized.

“The security in the city especially on sensitive places has been beefed up.”

Replying to a question Punjab Law Minister denied the security lapse.

Law enforcement agencies have apprehended a suspect from Garhi Shahu.

The firing and blasts took place at 1:35pm in both the areas.

AGENCIES ADD: Gunmen attacked worshippers from a minority Muslim sect in two mosques of the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore on Friday, taking hostages and killing at least 70 people, officials said.

The gunmen opened fire shortly after Friday prayers and threw what could have been grenades at two Ahmadi mosques in residential neighbourhoods in Pakistan's cultural capital.

Sajjad Bhutta, deputy commissioner of Lahore, said at least 70 people had been killed in the twin attacks on mosques in Garhi Shahu and Model Town. A total of 78 were injured.

The death toll at Garhi Shahu was higher, Bhutta said, because three attackers blew themselves up with suicide vests packed with explosives when police tried to enter the building.

Police are still searching the area as two attackers were still at large.

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said the incidents would generate greater resolve to combat extremism.

"It's a reminder to the nation that Pakistan will achieve its destiny only after we get rid of the worst type of extremism and fundamentalism," he told a news conference. "The entire nation will fight this evil."

He said one attacker had been arrested. Police in Model Town confirmed one gunmen had been arrested and another killed.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but suspicion quickly fell on the Pakistani Taliban.

"It's too early to say who is behind these attacks," said a Lahore-based security official. "But my guess is that like most other attacks, there would be some link to the Taliban or their associated militants."

Punjab's Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said the arrested attacker was a teenage Pashtun, an ethnic group making up the majority in parts of northern Pakistan and Afghanistan. This, he said, indicaed a link to the Pakistani tribal area of Waziristan and strongly hinted at a Taliban link.

"The prayer leader was giving a sermon when we heard firing and blasts. Everybody stood up and then two gunmen barged into the mosque and sprayed bullets," Fateh Sharif, a 19-year-old student, told Reuters from Model Town.

"They had long beards. They were carrying rucksacks."

Bhutta said a suicide vest laden with explosives was recovered from the Model Town mosque, where some attackers escaped. One fired at a television van before the area was made safe.