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Eleven die in Pakistan explosion | Eleven die in Pakistan explosion |
(10 minutes later) | |
At least 11 people have been killed in a suicide bomb attack in Pakistan's eastern city of Lahore, police say. | At least 11 people have been killed in a suicide bomb attack in Pakistan's eastern city of Lahore, police say. |
More than 60 others were injured when an explosives-laden car rammed into a building of a federal investigative agency, they said. | More than 60 others were injured when an explosives-laden car rammed into a building of a federal investigative agency, they said. |
The amount of explosives was so large it brought down the two-storey building, correspondents say. | The amount of explosives was so large it brought down the two-storey building, correspondents say. |
Close to the country's border with India, Lahore has been hit several times by militants over the past year. | Close to the country's border with India, Lahore has been hit several times by militants over the past year. |
Pakistan's government condemned the attack, blaming "hired killers who want to destabilise Pakistan". | |
'Total chaos' | 'Total chaos' |
The police said that the blast had taken place at a building housing the offices of the anti-terrorism wing of Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in the Model Town area of Lahore. | The police said that the blast had taken place at a building housing the offices of the anti-terrorism wing of Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in the Model Town area of Lahore. |
A nearby religious school was also damaged. | |
Nobody has claimed responsibility for the attack yet. | Nobody has claimed responsibility for the attack yet. |
The BBC's Aleem Maqbool in Islamabad says the emergency services are working to free those trapped under the rubble. | The BBC's Aleem Maqbool in Islamabad says the emergency services are working to free those trapped under the rubble. |
Passers by, including children on their way to school, were said to be among the dead and injured. | Passers by, including children on their way to school, were said to be among the dead and injured. |
Lahore police chief Pervaiz Rathore told reporters: "It was a suicide attack. We have heard that 40 to 50 people were in the [investigation agency] building when the incident happened. Rescue work is in progress." | Lahore police chief Pervaiz Rathore told reporters: "It was a suicide attack. We have heard that 40 to 50 people were in the [investigation agency] building when the incident happened. Rescue work is in progress." |
He said the targeted office was used to interrogate "important suspects" but there were no such suspects inside during the attack. | He said the targeted office was used to interrogate "important suspects" but there were no such suspects inside during the attack. |
ATTACKS ON LAHORE 3 March 2009: Gunmen kill six police guards in an ambush on the Sri Lanka cricket team30 March 2009: Gunmen attack a police academy, killing eight people27 May 2009: A car bomb attack on police buildings kills at least 23 | |
The top administration official in Lahore, Khusro Pervez, said he feared the death toll would rise. | |
Eyewitness Noorul Huda, a student at a religious school, said he was in class when an explosion shook the area. | Eyewitness Noorul Huda, a student at a religious school, said he was in class when an explosion shook the area. |
"With the huge bang, blocks and pieces of the roof fell upon us and six of us were wounded," he said. | "With the huge bang, blocks and pieces of the roof fell upon us and six of us were wounded," he said. |
"It was total chaos outside and people were running and crying for help." | "It was total chaos outside and people were running and crying for help." |
Pakistan's Interior Minister Rehman Malik, quoted by Agence France-Presse news agency, blamed the Pakistan Taliban for the attack. | |
"In almost every blast there has been [Pakistan Taliban] involvement and they themselves have also claimed responsibility for attacks," he said. | |
"The ammunition and weapons are coming from Afghanistan." | |
FIA offices in Lahore have been the target of two suicide attacks in the past years. More than 26 people died in those attacks. | FIA offices in Lahore have been the target of two suicide attacks in the past years. More than 26 people died in those attacks. |
There have been a number of other explosions in Lahore over the past year. | There have been a number of other explosions in Lahore over the past year. |
Last December, two bomb blasts at a busy market killed at least 48 people and injured more than 100. | Last December, two bomb blasts at a busy market killed at least 48 people and injured more than 100. |
The Taliban have been blamed for many of the attacks across the country that have killed hundreds in the past six months. | The Taliban have been blamed for many of the attacks across the country that have killed hundreds in the past six months. |
Pakistan recently stepped up its drive against the Taliban leadership, arresting its second most senior commander, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar. | Pakistan recently stepped up its drive against the Taliban leadership, arresting its second most senior commander, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar. |
A number of other top figures are also reported to have been arrested this year. | A number of other top figures are also reported to have been arrested this year. |
Are you in Lahore? Did you witness the explosion? Send us your comments using the form below. | Are you in Lahore? Did you witness the explosion? Send us your comments using the form below. |
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |