7 killed in Lahore bomb blast

International Desk: At least seven persons were killed and 20 others injured on Thursday in a powerful explosion that ripped through a building in a defence locality in this Pakistani city, the latest in a series of terror attacks in the country.

Panic gripped the area a little before noon when the loud explosion resonated across Z-Block in Defence Housing Authority area in Lahore.

"Seven persons have been killed and 20 suffered injuries," officials said.

The nature of the blast is yet to be determined and bomb disposal squad and forensic expert are collecting evidences from the spot.

"It appears to be a planted device," Punjab police spokesman Niyab Haider told PTI.

The Z-block market houses restaurants frequented by young couples.

Several vehicles were also damaged in the blast. The injured are being shifted to different city hospitals.

The latest blast came as security has been tightened across Pakistan after a recent wave of terrorist strikes killed more than 100 people.

On February 16, a suicide bomber killed 88 people at a famed Sufi shrine in Sindh province. Following the attack, the army launched an offensive against militants and claimed to have killed more than 130 terrorists across the country.

Earlier on 13 February, at least 14 people were killed in a suicide bombing near the Punjab Assembly.

Agencies

risingbd/DHAKA/Feb 23, 2017/Amirul