39 killed, 95 Hurt in Lahore Twin Blasts

LAHORE Pakistan News: Punjab Police chief has said 39 persons were killed and 95 were injured in twin suicide attacks at R A Bazaar in Lahore cantonment area on Friday. Eleven security men were also killed in attacks, Inspector General Police of Punjab said. SSP Operations Lahore Chaudhry Shafeeque told media that both blasts that were happened with 15 second interval were suicide attacks.

He said the military vehicles in the cantonment area were targeted by the suicide bombers.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik has called report about bomb attacks in Lahore.

Talking to media Malik condemned the attack in Lahore. He said that a conspiracy to trigger sectarian violence in the country has been hatched by the anti-state elements.

Chief of Awami National Party Asfandyar Wali, has condemned Lahore bombings and expressed sympathy with the victims.

Speaker and deputy speaker of National Assembly, chairman and deputy chairman Senate, parliamentarians and others have condemned Lahore bomb attacks.

(Updated at 1445 PST)

According to earlier reports at least 20 persons were killed in two blasts at R A Bazaar in Lahore cantonment area on Friday, while 50 others were injured.

SSP Operations Lahore Chaudhry Shafeeque told media that both blasts that were happened with 15 second interval were suicide attacks.

He said the military vehicles in the cantonment area were targeted by the suicide bombers.

The relief teams and ambulances reached to the spot of the blasts and started relief operations after the twin explosions.

Police and security agencies personnel have cordoned off the area.

The dead and injured include women and children, reports said. The authorities have declared emergency in Lahore hospitals.

The roads leading to the cantonment areas have been closed.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani have condemned the bomb attack in Lahore.