Lahore: At least 55 people had been died which includes children and security personnel and nearly 200 injured on Sunday evening in a powerful suicide at Wagah in Pakistan.
Blast took place after the popular flag-lowering ceremony at the main Indo-Pakistan land border crossing.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the blast.
Mushtaq Sukhera, Inspector-General of Police, Punjab, Pakistan, said, “A large number of people were returning after watching the Rangers flag ceremony at Wagah border when a suicide bomber blew himself up near one of the exit gates.” Three Pakistan Rangers personnel were also dead.
Jundullah group, al-Qaeda-affiliated group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
The police had made strict security measures at the border crossing where crowds gather every evening to watch the pageantry that marks the closure of the border post.
Sukhera said, “We had reports that some banned outfits might target Shias, religious personalities, public processions and important buildings.”
The suicide bomber was stopped at the gate but detonated the bomb.
BSF chief DK Pathak said that there will be no flag-lowering ceremony for three days from Monday at the request of Pakistan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed condolences to the families of deceased and tweeted, “Terror attack in Pakistan near Wagah Border is shocking. I strongly condemn such a dastardly act of terrorism.”
Bureau Report
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