Lahore blast: Agencies had informed IG Punjab about possible terror attack in fruit market

LAHORE - Law Enforcement Agencies had informed the IG Punjab of the danger posed by terrorist organizations in fruit markets of Lahore and other major cities of Punjab.

A news article published in Daily Dunya on 1st August reported that LEAs had diligently informed IG Arif Nawaz about the specific locations and highly possible terror attacks and their details.

The agencies provided information about several facilitators and groups of banned outfits near fruit markets who were actively transporting explosive materials, weapons, suicide jackets and time devices via trucks and secretly occupied several buildings where they plan terror activities.

Warning the police officials, the agencies said that the checkpoints near the fruit markets were not doing enough to ensure safety and security. The agencies directed them to carry out intelligence based operations and combing operations in and around target areas so that those who want to carry out the attacks in Punjab cannot do so easily.

The agencies informed that last month's blast on Ferozepur Road near Arfa Karim IT Tower was also carried out by the same terrorist groups.

At least 20 people were injured in an explosion on Band Road in Lahore on Monday night.

The nature of the explosion is yet to be ascertained but according to media reports, the blast occurred after a truck believed to be carrying fruits crashed into a transformer on Out Fall Road in Islampura area.

The injured have been shifted to nearby Mian Munshi Hospital and Mayo Hospital where an emergency has been imposed. Due to a power breakdown following the blast, hospital authorities are facing problems in carrying out emergency operations.

As per reports, out of 20, eight injured victims have been declared to be critical while two have been shifted to surgical wards.