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Bomber kills 13 in Pakistan's Lahore

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, Jan 25, IRNA -- At least 13 people, including four policemen, were killed and over 50 people were injured in a suicide bomb attack in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore on Tuesday, police and doctors said.

Regional Police Officer Aslam Tarin said the policemen were deployed for the security of the procession to the Shiite Muslims.

Tarin said that no one from the Shiite procession was injured as the participants were not yet arrived at the Urdu Bazar square area in Lahore, the capital of Punjab.

No group claimed responsibility for the attack. Taliban militants in the past targeted Shiite Muslims in Pakistan.

Medical Superintendent at the city’s main Mayo Hospital, Dr Zahid, confirmed that 13 people were killed and 52 others were injured. He said that 15 injured are registered as critical. A woman was among those killed.

Law Minister in Punjab province, Rana Sanaullah, said that the bomber was in the age of 14 or 15 who tried to target the Shiite procession but failed to approach the procession due to security cordon.

He said the bomber detonated his device after the police stopped him for checking, adding that there would be more casualties if the bomber succeeded to reach the procession. The minister said there had been intelligence reports about the bomb attack.

TV footage showed the police and people were shifting the injured to hospitals.

The police detained one person from the blast site and transferred him for questioning, police sources said.

The government had set up several check points and deployed hundreds of police men for the protection of the Shiite processions over threats.

The police officer Rana Fisal said that the blast took place at the first check point and the bomber could not approach the procession due to security cordon across the city.

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani strongly condemned the suicidal attack near to the Chalum procession in Lahore resulting loss of precious human lives.

The Prime Minister asked the authorities concerned to provide best medical treatment to the injured. He has also ordered an immediate inquiry to probe the attack.

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Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 30205750