LAHORE: A suicide bomber killed at least 55 people Sunday at the Pakistan-India border crossing at Wagah.
The explosion, which wounded more than 120, came at Wagah border gate after the “flag-lowering” ceremony culminated on Sunday evening which attracts thousands of spectators every day and is popular with foreign tourists.
“It appears to have been a suicide attack. At least 55 people have been killed and more than 120 wounded. Women and children were also killed,” Mushtaq Sukhera, the Punjab provincial police chief, told AFP.
Sharif expressed “grief and sorrow” over the attack in a statement issued by his office and ordered those responsible to be brought to justice.
His Indian counterpart Narendra Modi condemned the “shocking” and “dastardly” attack. “My condolences to the families of the deceased. Prayers with the injured,” he said.
Punjab Rangers DG Maj-Gen Tahir Javed said that three of Rangers had been killed in the blast, which came around 500 metres from the post itself.
There were several conflicting claims of responsibility for the attack.
Earlier reports had said it could be a cylinder blast.
In the wake of Muharram, the police had made strict security measures.
“We had reports that some banned outfits might target Shias, religious personalities, public processions and important buildings,” Sukhera said.
He said, “Our teams have confirmed that it was a suicide blast”. The IG said that the suicide bomber was stopped at the gate of the parade ground at the border and detonated the bomb right when people gathered near the gate.
“Up to five kilogrammes of explosive material was used in the blast,” Sukhera said.
“The bomb exploded outside a restaurant near a Pakistani paramilitary soldiers’ checkpoint at Wagah border,” he added.
“People were returning after watching the parade at Wagah border when the blast took place. Ball bearings were found at the scene,” another police official said.
November 2, 10:30pm
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condemned the blast at Wagah border post and has offered his condolences to the victims.
My condolences to the families of the deceased. Prayers with the injured.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 2, 2014
Terror attack in Pakistan near Wagah Border is shocking. I strongly condemn such a dastardly act of terrorism.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 2, 2014