Terrorists used planted device at Anarkali Bazaar, Punjab police tell CM

Lahore: Terrorists executed bomb blast at Anarkali with the help of a planted device, it was revealed in the preliminary investigation report submitted by the Inspector General of Punjab Police to the Punjab Chief Minister.

At least two people including a child lost their lives and 26 others suffered multiple injuries in the the incident.

Sources told GNN that a 1.5-kilogramme explosive material was used which damaged a building and eight motorcycles.

The report mentioned that the blast was heard at 1:40pm; while a call from an unknown number was received at 1:44pm informing the authorities that a blast has been heard in Lahore’s Anarkali area after which the police and rescue officials rushed to the place of incident.

Police, forensic departments, and other investigative agencies are present at the scene and are currently examining the footage from the CCTV cameras for further investigation.

Some suspects have been detained and are being investigated, the report claims.

-- Buzdar seeks report --

Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar strongly condemned Anarkali blast and expressed a deep sense of sorrow over the loss of precious human lives.

In a statement on Thursday, the CM extended sympathies to the bereaved heirs and directed to provide the best treatment facilities to the injured.

The CM has also sought a report from IG police, directing that perpetrators of the crime should be arrested without delay.

Alongside, the CM termed it a nefarious act to sabotage the law & order and made it clear that the criminals would not escape from the clutches of the law.

A handful of terrorists could not shake the unwavering commitment of the nation, Buzdar concluded.  

-- IGP reviews footages --

A high level meeting was chaired by the IG Punjab regarding investigation of Anarkali blast at the office of Punjab Safe Cities Authority.

He reviewed all the footage of Anarkali blast. Safe Cities Authority, CTD and Lahore police officers gave a briefing.

Sardar said all the accused including mastermind and facilitators of Anarkali blast would be arrested soon and brought to justice.

"Terrorists who are spoiling law and order in the province will not be allowed to succeed in their nefarious intentions."   

The provincial police chief directed the officers to investigate all aspects of the Anarkali blast and reach out to the culprits at the earliest using all available resources including safe city camera footage and evidence from the scene.

Chief Operating Officer Safe Cities Authority, Additional IG CTD and DIG Operations Lahore briefed IG Punjab about the preliminary investigation.  

The meeting was also attended by officers of Lahore Police, CTD, Safe City Authority, Special Branch and other security agencies.

-- Security alerty across Punjab ordered --

IG Punjab Rao Sardar Ali Khan has issued an order to raise security high alert in the province in view of the Anarkali blast.  

The IG Punjab has directed all RPOs and DPOs to enhance security of important installations and sensitive places.  Rao Sardar Ali Khan said that the patrolling hours of Dolphin, Peru and other patrolling forces in public places should be further extended.  

He directed that the checking process at inter-provincial and inter-district check posts should be made more efficient. He emphasized upon expediting search, sweep and intelligence based operations in all the districts.  

Sardar directed the CCPO Lahore to complete the investigation into every aspect of the AnarKali incident as soon as possible and bring the accused to justice.