SSP Traffic Zahid Gondal and DIG Traffic Ahmed Mobin were martyred in the incident
LAHORE – At least 14 people including two senior cops were killed and more than dozens injured in a deadly blast near Punjab Assembly on Mall road in Lahore during a protest rally staged by Punjab Medical Stores Association and Chemist and Druggist Association.
Chief Traffic Officer Ahmed Mobeen and Senior Superintendent of Police Zahid Gondal had been martyred. Captain Mubeen was holding talks with Punjab Pharmacists Association to end the association’s sit-in at the Mall Road when the blast occurred.
The protest was against the Drug Act 1976 in which wholesale dealers, factory owners, medical stores, and pharmacies demanding the government to withdraw the amendments to the law.
Local police official Ali Raza told that the blast occurred when a man on a motorcycle rammed into the crowd of protesters. A Taliban faction claimed the attack.
Many vehicles parked near the blast site caught fire, triggering panic and chaos in the area.
Rescue services, including ambulances and fire tenders, have reached the spot of the incident. The injured are being shifted to Mayo Hospital and Ganga Ram Hospital.
Pakistan Army and rangers have also reached the site and an emergency has been declared in all hospitals of Lahore.
A notification issued on February 7 to the Home Secretary, Punjab, the Provincial Police Officer and DG Pak Rangers Punjab, the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) had warned of a possible terrorist attack in Lahore.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and other political leaders condemned the incident.