News Desk/Ali Bhai Kamran
LAHORE
A blast in the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) Y-Block of the area claimed at least eight lives while 30 people were injured.
Panic gripped the area a little before noon on Thursday when a loud explosion resonated across Y-Block. The area in the DHA locality is a popular shopping centre with several restaurants.
The blast took place inside an under-construction building with DIG operations Haider Ashraf stating that labourers were present inside when the explosion took place. An entire floor of the building collapsed because of the blast. Four cars and 12 motorcycles were also damaged, while the windows of nearby buildings were shattered.
Those injured were taken to the General Hospital where an emergency was declared. According to Punjab Health Minister Salman Rafiq, four of the injured were in critical condition.
Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif has ordered an investigation of the blast and summoned a report from Inspector General Police.
Explosives used: CTD
An official from the counter-terrorism department (CTD) said the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) had confirmed that explosives were used in the blast.
Speaking to reporters the CTD official said it was unclear if an IED or timed device had been used. He added that the blast had taken place inside an under-construction café.
“An investigation will further reveal if the target was the café or the explosion happened in the preparatory stage,” the CTD official told reporters. He further said that the forensics team was collecting evidence and a complete picture would be shared when the investigation was complete.
Nature of blast
Prior to the CTD report, there were conflicting reports regarding the nature of the blast with the police claiming it was the result of a timed device placed in an under-construction building.
However, speaking to Media, Provincial Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said it was still unclear if the explosion was caused by a bomb adding that other possibilities could not be ruled out. He added that none of the injured brought to the hospital had explosive burns or signs, nor was the immediate area of the explosion
The site of the explosion did not have any residual explosive smell, Sanaullah added.
He further stated that most of the injured were working in the under construction building adding that many of the injured have reported that they could smell something suspicious in the building.
DG Rescue 1122 Dr Rizwan also stated that the nature of the explosion was still be investigated. He added that the rescue operation had been completed.
“We suspect there might be one or two bodies still in the basement where the top floor fell,” he said, adding “there is no evidence of ball bearings at the site of the blast. A forensic team is investigating and will determine the nature of the blast.”
DIG Operations, Haider Ashraf in a statement said the blast could be the result of a gas leakage, adding that an investigation was underway. SP Cantt Tahir Mehmood said it was not clear what the nature of the blast was and no possibility could be ruled out.
Eyewitnesses describe blast
A security guard told Media he heard a blast and saw smoke billowing from a building. “Glass pieces fell crumbling in front of me,” he said. “I and another person took out two bodies from there with our own hands.”
An injured person at the hospital said there were many bodies in the parking area.
Another injured person said they did not exactly know what happened. “We got pushed down with a large bang and glass pieces fell on us.”
