At least 67 people were killed and over 300 others injured in a deadly suicide explosion near the crowded and popular Gulshan-e-Iqbal park here on Sunday, rescue and security officials said.
"Some 65-70 people have been killed, included women and children, and over 250 were injured," an Edhi spokesperson told IANS.
Superintendent of Police Muhammad Iqbal of Iqbal Town area, where the park is located, confirmed it was a suicide attack.
#COAS chaired a high lvl security mtng.Amongst others DG ISI,DG MI attended.Having evaluated initial info,COAS directed concerned comds&-1
— Gen Asim Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) March 27, 2016
Many of the injured were in critical condition in various hospitals which frantically appealed to Lahore residents to donate blood.
The deafening explosion took place around 6.30 p.m. when the park was teeming with families, especially women and children, enjoying the Sunday and Easter holiday.
Police officials said the blast occurred only a few metres from the children's swings.
Int agencies to commence ops asap to find linkages&perpetrators of Lhr suicide attk. COAS resolved that we must bring the killers of our-2
— Gen Asim Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) March 27, 2016
Media reports quoted witnesses as saying that body parts were strewn everywhere.
Daily Pakistan said the park was packed when the attack took place. "There were body parts everywhere," the Dawn quoted a witness as saying.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Mohammad Usman also confirmed that it was a suicide attack and said that ball bearings used in the explosive had been found at the parking lot.
Police rescuers and over 20 ambulances ambulances raced to the park, which is crowded every weekend, and ferried the injured to hospitals.
innocent brothers,sisters&children to justice &will never allow these savage inhumans to over run our life and liberty-3/3
— Gen Asim Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) March 27, 2016
Others who survived the explosion helped to take the injured to hospitals in taxis and and rickshaws.
Pakistan Army troops have been deployed as the park and surrounding area has been cordoned off by the security forces.
The first international reaction came from India, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi denounced the deadly blast.
During the conversation, PM @narendramodi underlined the need for uncompromising efforts to fight against terrorism.
— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) March 27, 2016
"I strongly condemn it. My condolences to families of the deceased and prayers with the injured: PM," Modi tweeted.
In Pakistan, shocked leaders condemned the brutal terror. They included President Mamnoon Hussain, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif of Punjab.
ARY News said 5-6 kg of explosives may have been used in the explosion, which was heard in a large part of Lahore, capital of Punjab province.
An emergency was declared in all government hospitals in Lahore. While police cordoned off the park, troops were also rushed to the site to help the civilian authorities.
LEADERS, CELEBRITIES SLAM DEADLY LAHORE BLAST
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cricketer-turned politician Imran Khan and a host of leaders and celebrities across the subcontinent took to social media to condemn Sunday's suicide blast outside a Lahore children's park that left over 50 dead.
"Heard about the blast in Lahore. I strongly condemn it. My condolences to families of the deceased & prayers with the injured: PM," Modi tweeted from his PMO India account.
Strongly condemn the terror attack in Lahore in which our innocent citizens including women & children lost their lives.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 27, 2016
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf leader Imran Khan strongly condemned the blast. "Strongly condemn the terror attack in Lahore in which our innocent citizens including women & children lost their lives."
Veteran Bollywood star Rishi Kapoor said he was "concerned about the blast in Lahore".
"Hope you and your loved ones are safe. My condolences to the victims of this horror," he wrote.
And now women & children targeted in #Lahore terror attack.. Sickening.. thoughts with all affected.. https://t.co/kwuX9HP6Ql
— Farhan Akhtar (@FarOutAkhtar) March 27, 2016
Actor-director Farhan Akhtar termed the blasts "sickening".
"And now women & children targeted in #Lahore terror attack.. Sickening.. thoughts with all affected," the "Rock On!!" actor posted on Twitter.
Junoon guitarist Salman Ahmad wrote: "Nafraton mein ghiray nochein apni hi laash #LahoreBlast" (Confined by hatred, we claw at our own corpses).
"Sad to hear about terrorist attack in #Lahore Zehni ghulami sey kaash hon hum azaad" (Wish we become free from mental slavery).
It's a park for gods sake!! Children on swings!! How can anybody even have the heart to do this. #LahoreBlast
— Mahira Khan (@TheMahiraKhan) March 27, 2016
Pakistani actress Mahira Khan, who is all geared up to make her Bollywood debut opposite Shah Rukh Khan in "Raees", posted: "It's a park for gods sake!! Children on swings!! How can anybody even have the heart to do this. #LahoreBlast."
Hamid Mir, a journalist of Geo TV who in the past faced murderous attempts, termed it a "sad day".
"A sad Sunday in Lahore. 54 people killed 200 injured in terrorist attack at Gulshan e Iqbal Lahore only cowards can attack innocent civilians.
My love & prayers to the people in #Lahore & condolences to all those affected by this horrific blast. No God, No religion is ok with this!
— SOPHIE CHOUDRY (@Sophie_Choudry) March 27, 2016
Actress-singer Sophie Choudry posted: "My love & prayers to the people in #Lahore & condolences to all those affected by this horrific blast. No God, No religion is ok with this!"
Pakistani actor-singer Ali Zafar of "Tere Bin Laden" fame said: "Women and children!! Sad sad sad !! Shocked. No words #Lahoreblast"
Cricketer Aakash Chopra tweeted: "Heart goes out to the people in Lahore... stay safe. Stay blessed. #Terror #Terrible"
Pakistani singer Hadiqa Kiani said she was "disgusted" over the attack on children.
"Praying for the families, feeling hopeless. #Pakistan #LahoreBlast.
"These were children, lives are lives but these were children! #Disgusted #LahoreBlast," she wrote.
Awami Muslim League chief and former federal information minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad slammed Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and asked him where was he and other ministers.
"Donate blood at Jinnah hospital, Sheikh Zaid hospital, Faroq Hospital n Bajwah Hospital Lahore," he urged people.
Pakistani writer Moni Mohsin called it "barbaric". "To target Lahori families out enjoying the open air & festive spirt of these holidays is cruel & barbaric. May their murderers rot in hell."
Former banker and Aam Aadmi Party leader Meera Sanyal wrote: "Terrorists respect no religion & the colour of our blood is the same - be it Mumbai, Lahore, Paris or Brussels."
