A breakaway faction of the Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility Monday after a suicide bombing killed at least 14 people and injured 87 others at a large protest rally in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore.
The attack occurred as hundreds of pharmacists and pharmaceutical manufacturers rallied in front of the provincial assembly building against government regulations on drug sales.
A suicide bomber on foot targeted several senior law enforcement officials who were negotiating with protesters, according to the provincial police chief, Mushtaq Shukhera. Six police officials were among those killed in what the militant group said was revenge for Pakistani military operations in the Afghan border region.
Muhammad Sarfraz, a traffic police official, said law enforcement agents were speaking with protesters when the blast occurred about 15 feet from where they were standing.
“Suddenly there was a big bang followed by smoke and fire,” Sarfraz said. “I lost my senses for a few seconds. When recovered, I saw at least 50 people lying on the ground. It was like doomsday.”
The Taliban offshoot, Jamaat-ul Ahrar, claimed responsibility through a spokesman. The same group was behind the bombing of a park in Lahore on Easter Sunday in 2016 that killed nearly 80 people and wounded hundreds.
Rana Sanaullah, the provincial law minister, said militant groups that had sanctuary in neighboring Afghanistan were using their safe havens to wage attacks in Pakistan.
The latest attack in Lahore, the prosperous capital of Punjab province, was particularly significant because the city is the political base of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. It has typically been insulated from the militant violence infesting Pakistan’s northwestern tribal region and the coastal city of Karachi.
Amir Rana, a security analyst based in the capital, Islamabad, said the attack showed that Jamaat-ul Ahrar’s network of militants remained strong despite Pakistani security operations and pledges to eradicate terrorism.
“We will have to take more measures, such as better intelligence coordination,” Rana said. “Pakistan will also have to sit with Afghanistan to discuss the terrorism issue in the region.”
Adele's big night at the Grammys, an overflowing dam threatens homes in Northern California, Santa Monica is set to approve the nation’s most extensive seismic retrofit plan, and L.A. Metro officials continue to be vexed by falling ridership.
Adele's big night at the Grammys, an overflowing dam threatens homes in Northern California, Santa Monica is set to approve the nation’s most extensive seismic retrofit plan, and L.A. Metro officials continue to be vexed by falling ridership.
Adele's big night at the Grammys, an overflowing dam threatens homes in Northern California, Santa Monica is set to approve the nation’s most extensive seismic retrofit plan, and L.A. Metro officials continue to be vexed by falling ridership.
Adele's big night at the Grammys, an overflowing dam threatens homes in Northern California, Santa Monica is set to approve the nation’s most extensive seismic retrofit plan, and L.A. Metro officials continue to be vexed by falling ridership.
Highlights from the 2017 Grammy Awards at the Staples Center.
Highlights from the 2017 Grammy Awards at the Staples Center.
More than 100,000 people in communities downstream of Lake Oroville were told to evacuate Sunday evening after authorities grew concerned that dangerous flood waters would start surging out of the huge reservoir.
More than 100,000 people in communities downstream of Lake Oroville were told to evacuate Sunday evening after authorities grew concerned that dangerous flood waters would start surging out of the huge reservoir.
On Feb. 11, 1967, they held a large, public gay-rights demonstration that pre-dated the famous Stonewall riots in New York City by two years. On Saturday night, people celebrated the 50th anniversary of the demonstration.
On Feb. 11, 1967, they held a large, public gay-rights demonstration that pre-dated the famous Stonewall riots in New York City by two years. On Saturday night, people celebrated the 50th anniversary of the demonstration.
Electronic music superstar Steve Aoki was nominated for a Grammy for best music film for the documentary "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead."
Electronic music superstar Steve Aoki was nominated for a Grammy for best music film for the documentary "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead."
Special correspondent Sahi reported from Islamabad and Times staff writer Shashank Bengali from Sofia, Bulgaria.
shashank.bengali@latimes.com
Follow @SBengali on Twitter for more news from South Asia
MORE WORLD NEWS
By testing a missile, North Korea was probably also testing Trump, experts say
Thousands march against Trump in Mexico City: 'Pay for your own wall!'
Netanyahu may seek to reset U.S.-Israel relations in meeting with Trump
UPDATES:
11:40 a.m.: This article was updated with more information and comments.
8:50 a.m.: This article was updated throughout with staff reporting, including a higher death toll.
7:40 a.m.: This article was updated with estimated death and injury tolls, as well as information about the group that claimed the attack.
This article was originally published at 6:15 a.m.
Our editors found this article on this site using Google and regenerated it for our readers.
