At least three people died and 28 others were injured when a remote-controlled device blew up in Lahore’s New Anarkali Market. A couple of hours after the blast, a Twitter handle purportedly from one Mureed Baloch said that Baloch Nationalist Army (BNA) has claimed responsibility for the blast.

It was also reported that there are several Baloch nationalist groups that are operating in the country, but BNA has not been heard of previously. Officials have confirmed that the group was created as recently as this month.

BNA is a new terrorist group that has been formed by a merger of the banned Baloch Republican Army and United Baloch Army (UBA). The merger or alliance emerged on January 11, 2022, when the group was formed. This explains why many officials were surprised when the BNA claimed responsibility for the Lahore attack. Most of the information about the group was gathered after the blast.

After blast in Lahore, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed warned that the Lahore among Karachi, Islamabad and Peshawar were under threat of fresh wave of terrorism.

Addressing a press conference, the interior minister said that some people of banned outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban of Pakistan (TTP) have been killed which could lead to reaction.

Sheikh Rashid said that the reaction was expected due to some incidents happened before. “Terrorists want instability in the country, some people of TTP have been killed which could have a reaction. We are ready to tackle all kinds of expected situation,” he added. 

He further said that a red alert has been issued in Lahore, Peshawar, Karachi and Islamabad, security has been beefed up in all the four cities. “If anti-state elements do such incidents in Pakistan, then they will be dealt with iron hands.”

Sheikh Rashid has expressed sorrow over the loss of human lives due to the Anarkali blast in Lahore. He prayed for speedy recovery of the injured.

On the other hand, in a tragic incident, at least two people including a kid were killed while over 28 sustained injuries after a horrific explosion rocked Lahore’s New Anarkali on Thursday (January 20).

At least two people have been killed while 28 including women and children sustained injuries when a blast took place at New Anarkali area in the Punjab's provincial capital. 

Rescue teams and police reached the spot after getting information and shifted the deceased and injured to Mayo Hospital where an emergency alert has been imposed. The area has been cordoned off and police is gathering evidence from the place of incident. 

As per police a huge number of people were present at the place of incident. The bomb disposal squad is being called in to inspect the site for explosives. 

The explosion left the windows of nearby shops and buildings shattered.

Seven victims are said to be in critical condition, said officials. 

Medical Supredent (MS) Mayo Hospital Doctor Iftikhar revealed that a 9-year-old boy was among dead. 

Authorities stated that the blast caused a 1.5 feet-deep crater in the ground, said police.

They said the device was planted outside the shop of a prize bond dealer and damaged several food outlets in the street besides vehicles parked nearby. 

Initial reports suggested that the blast was a cylinder explosion at a shop. However, forensic experts said that the blast might be triggered through a time device.