Lahore attack: Senior police officers among 13 killed

At least 13 people were killed and 85 injured in the suicide bomb attack outside the Punjab Assembly in Lahore during a protest on Monday.

Inspector General of Police (IG) Punjab Mushtaq Ahmad Sukhera confirmed that six police officials were among the dead, including two senior officers, reports the Dawn.

The Jamat-ul-Ahrar faction of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attack.

SSP Operations Zahid Gondal of Punjab Police and DIG Traffic Lahore Capt (retd) Ahmad Mobin were among those killed in the attack.

A large group of chemists and pharmaceutical manufacturers were gathered in front of the provincial assembly to protest a government crackdown against the sale of illegal drugs. There was a significant presence of law enforcers in the area while the protest was ongoing.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has condemned the attack.

Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa instructed local military commanders and intelligence agencies to provide all necessary assistance to civilian authorities and arrest those responsible, a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) read. 

Terror alert

In a Feb 7 notification addressing the Home Secretary, Punjab, the Provincial Police Officer and DG Pak Rangers Punjab, the National Counterterrorism Authority (NACTA) had warned of a possible terrorist attack in Lahore.

NACTA had directed that all vital installations, including important buildings, hospitals and schools, be kept under strict vigilance.

"Extreme vigilance and heightened security measures are suggested to avoid any untoward incident," the notification added.

Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said that maximum preparations were made after the threat alert was received.

"The spot where the blast took place is always under threat. Even if there was no alert, strict security measures are always taken in the area."