ISI Lahore headquarters attacked,Colonel among 35 killed

The terror squad headed their vehicle towards the two buildings located off Mall Road but as heavily armed guards prevented them,they came out and exchanged fire before setting off a massive blast. Over 40 vehicles were destroyed and considerable damage was caused to nearby buildings.

TV channels reported eight suspects were arrested. The dead ISI officer was simply identified as Colonel Amir.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik said the attack could be in retaliation to the military offensive against Taliban militants in the north-western Swat valley.

Punjab government officials confirmed only 28 people dead but the Edhi Ambulance Service put the death toll at 35. Hospital officials said 13 of the dead were policemen and seven were ISI personnel.

Police chief Pervaiz Rathore estimated over 100 kg of explosives was used in the blast. He said the death toll could rise as a number of people were still trapped under the rubble of the buildings.

“A white car approached the ISI headquarters,opened fire on the police guards and also threw grenades before heading towards it,” said eyewitness Abid Ali.

The attack came a day after Taliban spokesperson Maulvi Mohammad Omar threatened attacks across Pakistan if the military operation in Swat was not stopped.

Police sources said suspects in the March attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team were being interrogated in the ISI building.

In March last year,suspects in the Naval War College attack were being interrogated at the Federal Investigation Agency building when a truck packed with explosives was driven into it,killing 30 people,mostly FIA officials.