Suicide blast at Wagah kills 55, injures 120

• Eight members of a family, five of another and three Rangers personnel amongst 55 killed
• Jundullah and Jamaatul Ahrar claim responsibility for the attack
• Interior minister says security forces had been alerted of a possible terror attack at Wagah
• DG Rangers says suicide bomber detonated bomb away from main venue because of strict checking and security measures

At least 55 people were killed and more than 120 others were injured Sunday in a suicide blast outside a roadside restaurant at the Wagah-Attari border on the outskirts of Lahore.

Jundullah and Jamaatul Ahraar – splinter groups of the banned militant outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban, have claimed responsibility for the attack.

The blast was a high-intensity explosion that could be heard at a distance of two kilometres. Police said that 12 to 15 kilograms of explosive material was used in the bomb. Ball bearings used in the bomb were also recovered found from the site.

According to eye-witnesses, the explosion occurred as Rangers concluded the “beating retreat” ceremony at Wagah-Attari border. The ceremony is carried out every day with much pomp and show on both the Indian and Pakistani side of the border.

Crowds of people attend the ceremony to cheer every hostile strut and stare traded by the border guards on both sides. Following the incident, Pakistan and India have decided to bar citizens from attending the ceremony for three days at the border.

BLAST SITE:

The blast created panic amongst the hundreds of citizens who had come to attend the “beating retreat” ceremony, including a small parade, at the border.

Following the blast, shops and buildings near the blast site were destroyed.

According to an eyewitness, people were coming out of the shops when the bomb explosion took place.

“There were several bodies at the scene of the blast. It was a very powerful blast.”

Security and rescue personnel rushed to the site and journalists were instructed to clear the area. Forensic teams also reached the site to collect evidence as part of the initial investigation into the incident. Later, the Rangers cordoned off the area for security reasons.

Punjab Rangers Director General Major-General Tahir Khan, while confirming that the attack was a suicide blast, said, “The parade venue is about 500-600 yards ahead of the blast site. Because of the strict checking and security measures, the suicide bomber detonated the bomb away from the main venue.”

“Walk through gates and scanners were installed near the parade ground. The suicide bomber was standing just before the first scanner and he did not breach security,” he said.

The Rangers DG also confirmed the death of three Rangers personnel in the attack.

“Five Ranger officials have been critically injured as well,” he added.

Speaking to Pakistan Today, Punjab Police Inspector General (IG) Mushtaq Sukhera also confirmed that the blast was a suicide explosion.

“A suicide bomber between 18 to 20 years of age blew himself up when hundreds of people, including women and children, were dispersing after witnessing the flag-lowering ceremony at the Wagah border,” he said.

Talking to Pakistan Today, Lahore Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Amin Wains said, “People were returning after watching the parade at Wagah border when the suicide blast occurred. Ball bearings were also found at the scene,” he said.

“We think it is sabotage,” DIG Operations Haider Ashraf said, while talking to reporters, as he urged families to give way to the injured people and ambulances that were being brought in.

SECURITY FORCES WERE FORE-WARNED:

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has ordered an immediate enquiry into the incident and summoned a report from Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Rangers DG and the Interior Ministry.

The premier directed the Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan to provide every possible care to the injured and the families of those killed in the attack.

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif also directed provincial ministers Bilal Yasin and Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman to reach the city’s hospital to attend to the victims.

Ina statement, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar said that the intelligence agencies had already alerted the authorities about the possibility of the attack in the Wagah Border area.

“We will investigate why initiatives were not taken by the security forces to prevent the attack, even after the warning by the Interior Ministry,” he said.

However, IGP Sukhera denied that the incident was because of a security lapse.

“There were security threats and the Rangers were prepared. Security was put on high-alert and two new check-posts were installed in the area but when large numbers of people started to leave the ground, the bomber blew himself up, which caused the loss of lives,” said Sukhera.

Sources said that intelligence agencies had informed the Punjab government about a possible terror attack during Muharram.

Intelligence sources said that the suspected suicide bomber was named Abdul Rehman who had gone underground for the past few months and it was feared that he could target any procession or renowned personality during Muharram. Per reports, police, reacting to intelligence reports, continued efforts to trace the suspected terrorist but failed to arrest him.

WHO’S RESPONSIBLE?

Jamaatul Ahraar and Jundullah–two splinter groups of the militant organisation Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) – have claimed responsibility for the attack.

Speaking from Afghanistan, Ehsanullah Ehsan, spokesman of the newly-formed Jamaatul Ahrar claimed responsibility for the attack.

“The suicide attack was carried out by one of our men,” said the spokesman, warning that the outfit would continue such attacks in the future as well.

“Some other groups have claimed responsibility of this attack, but these claims are baseless. We will soon release the video of this attack,” he said.

The attack is revenge for the innocent people killed by the Pakistan Army in North Waziristan Agency (NWA), said the spokesman.

Earlier Jundullah, the outlawed group behind a suicide bombing that killed at least 78 Christians at a church in Peshawar last September, also claimed responsibility for the attack.

Ahmed Marwat, a spokesman of the splinter Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militant outfit, termed the attack as the militants’ reaction to the ongoing military offensive, Operation Zarb-e-Azb, against terrorists in North Waziristan Agency (NWA).

Jundullah and the much larger TTP are amongst the loosely aligned militant groups that frequently share personnel, tactics and agendas.

SCENES AT THE HOSPITAL:

Following the incident, an emergency was declared in all hospitals in Lahore. Initially, most of the dead and injured were shifted to nearby Gurkhi Trust Hospital (GTH) by ambulances which rushed to the scene.

Police, security agencies and the families of victims swarmed the hospital premises. Heart-wrenching scenes were witnessed at GTH following the attack as families of victims accompanies or searched for their loved ones injured or killed in the blast.

Eight members of same family and five belonging to another family were among the victims of blast.

Talking to Pakistan Today, GTH Medical Superintendent Dr Iftikhar confirmed that over 100 people were brought to the hospital.

“GTH does not have the capacity to treat more patients,” he said, adding that any more injured being bought to GTH were being shifted to other hospitals in Lahore. He said that the deceased included 10 women, seven children and three Rangers personnel.

“The injured were initially taken to GhurkiHospital, which is nearest to the site of the blast,” said a Health Department spokesman, adding, “Patients in critical condition are being shifted to ServicesHospital for the treatment.”