Five policemen killed, 20 injured in Lahore suicide blast

Five policemen were killed and 20 others injured on late Wednesday when a suspected suicide bomber...

Five policemen were killed and 20 others injured on late Wednesday when a suspected suicide bomber struck outside a police station in a busy area in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore. The streets were crowded with people celebrating on the eve of the country’s Independence Day, just minutes before President Pervez Musharraf addressed the nation in a televised speech.

The suicide bomber may have himself up outside a police station near Moon Market, one of the largest bazars in the posh Allama Iqbal Town locality, officials said. The market was packed with people, who were out, celebrating ahead of Pakistan’s 61st Independence Day.

Five policemen were killed on the spot and 20 others were injured, police officials were quoted as saying by television channels.

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Five of the policemen injured in the blast, which occurred at about 11.30 pm, are said to be in a serious condition.

Rizwan Naseer, the head of the local rescue service, said initial reports suggested it appeared to be a suicide attack. Naseer said the police had cordoned off the area and started investigations into the incident.

He also said that the policemen were apparently the target of the attack. The dead and injured were rushed to nearby hospitals.

Officials said that there were reports of security threats in the city and an alert had been sounded a while ago. Security was further tightened after the blast, they said.

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