LAHORE – At least six persons including four troops of Pakistan Army were martyred and 22 others injured after a suicide attack in which a vehicle of census team was targeted on Wednesday morning in Lahore.
The incident happened near Manawala Chowk Bedian Road, Lahore where an explosion occurred causing causalities and injuring people.
Earlier, it was being reported as a CNG cylinder explosion inside a vehicle.
Pakistan Army, police and rescue teams have reached the spot after the blast, while the injured have been shifted to a nearby hospital where they are being treated.
Several vehicles were also damaged in the blast. An investigation is underway to investigate the nature of the blast.
Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah talking to a news channel said that the blast occurred despite the high alert, adding that causalities could increase in the incident.
Sanaullah added that banned Jamaat-ul-Ahrar has been claiming responsibility of the terrorist attack in Lahore.
He reiterated that terrorism will be brought to a logical end in order to restore peace in the country.
On March 21, a census team had been attacked in Mandni area of Charsadda leaving a policeman injured.
According to reports, the incident took place when a security team accompanying census officials in Charsadda came under attack. The security personnel retaliated and shot, injuring the attacker who was later arrested and moved to an undisclosed location.
The 6th population census is underway in the country with comprehensive teams making door to door visits.
The first phase of head-count under the population census began in sixty-three districts across the country here on Saturday after completion of house listing.
Pakistan Army, Frontier Constabulary, police, Frontier Corps and levies force personnel had been deployed to provide security to the census staff members.
Earlier on February 13, at least 15 people including senior police officers had been killed while 85 other were injured after a strong explosion near Punjab Assembly.
The bomb blast occurred at Charing Cross, Mall Road, Lahore, killing DIG Traffic Capt (r) Ahmad Mubeen, SSP Mahmood Gondal and DSP Pervez Butt, police sources told Daily Pakistan.
