Suicide Blasts Kill At Least 35 in Pakistan

VOA News 01 July 2010

Pakistani authorities say two suicide blasts have killed at least 37 people and wounded about 175 others at a Muslim shrine in the eastern city of Lahore.

The attackers struck Thursday as thousands of people were visiting the Data Durbar shrine, the tomb of a famous Sufi saint that is visited by many people every year.

Police say one of the attacks took place in a courtyard at the shrine, and the other occurred in the basement where people wash themselves before praying.

Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani condemned the attacks. He said the Data Durbar shrine has sentimental value to Muslims across the country, and that targeting it shows the attackers have no consideration for religion, faith or belief.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

Officials say at least 25 of the people wounded in the attacks are in critical condition.

People gather at the Data Durbar shrine in large numbers on Thursdays.

Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.