12 killed, 60 injured in twin blasts in Pakistan's Lahore

source: chinaview 2009-12-08

ISLAMABAD, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Two explosions killed 12 persons and injured at least 60 others in eastern Pakistan's Lahore on Monday evening, local TV channel reported.

Twin blasts took place outside Moon Market police station in Lahore, the capital of Punjab province, the private TV Express News reported. Several shops and a bank caught fire due to the blasts.

Witnesses said that large number of shoppers were present at the market at the time of blasts. Ambulances and rescue teams reached the blast site, and at least 60 people were shifted to Services hospital, Jinnah Hospital and other nearby hospitals where emergency have been declared.

Police sources said that the killed and injured included children and women. The condition of several injured is said to be serious.

Power supply to the area has been suspended after the blasts. The channel footage showed that fire fighters are making efforts to tackle the fierce blaze.

Several vehicles parked in the commercial area were also damaged and caught fire. People were making hue and cry at the blast site and searching their beloved ones.

Nothing is known so far about the nature of the blasts, sources said.

Moon Market is a commercial center of Iqbal Town, Lahore, where shoppers are normally present in large numbers. A suicide attack occurred in this area on Aug. 13, 2008.

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, in separate messages, strongly condemned the twin blasts in Lahore. President Zardari said such cowardly acts of terrorism would not deter the government's resolve to fight this menace in the country.

Prime Minister Gilani expressed his deep grief over the killing of innocent people and prayed for the early recovery of the injured. He directed the concerned authorities to investigate the matter and provide best possible medical treatment to the injured.