LAHORE: A spokesman for the Pakistani Taliban's main umbrella faction, Tehreek-e-Taliban, claimed the group was responsible Monday for a suicide blast that killed 12 people in Lahore.
“We claim responsibility for the Lahore blast. We will continue such attacks in future,” Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) spokesman Azam Tariq told two AFP reporters in telephone calls from an undisclosed location.
“The attack was to avenge (US) drone attacks and (Pakistani) military operations in the tribal areas. We will carry on such attacks as long as drone strikes and operations continue.”
A car bomb explosion killed 12 people and injured 81 others near the FIA and the Special Investigative Agency buildings in Model Town, Lahore on Monday.
“Eleven people have been killed and several others injured in a suicide car bombing, which took place near the FIA and the Special Investigative Agency buildings in Lahore,” the commissioner of Lahore said.
Latest reports state that the Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said that the target was the Special Investigative Agency and not the FIA building.
Earlier Division Commissioner Khusro Pervaiz said 61 people had been injured, 11 of the injured are said to be in critical condition.
Eight of the dead were women.
The DCO of Lahore and the Inspector General of Punjab, Tariq Azeem have both confirmed that an explosive laden rammed into the Investigation Agency's building.
Witnesses said that the FIA has completely collapsed and a number of people are still buried under the rubble.
The DCO added that around 70 people were present at the FIA building at the time of the explosion.
He also confirmed that around 600 kilograms of explosives were used in this attack. The police said that the massive explosion has managed to create an 8 foot deep crater.
Meanwhile, medical officials have urged residents of Lahore to come fourth and donate blood to help treat the injured.
Security has been placed on high alert across the entire city.
The blast rocked Lahore early this morning and witnesses say that smoke billowing from the explosion could be seen for miles.
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