Suicide blast hits census team, five security persons, 2 others martyred

• Over 20 others hurt in attack on a van carrying census staff;
• Funeral prayers for four security officials offered in Lahore
• Corps Commander Lahore visits injured in CMH; Incident
• widely condoled; COAS says census to complete at all cost

LAHORE: At least seven people were killed and more than 20 others sustained injuries in a suicide attack on a van carrying census staff at Bedian Road in Lahore on Wednesday. 

According to details, three soldiers of Pakistan Army, an official of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and two government officials who were part of a census team were martyred in the attack. 

Officials initially claimed that the blast occurred when gas cylinder of a van exploded; however, they later said it was a suicide blast that apparently targeted census team. Nearby vehicles and buildings were also damaged from the explosion.

Police, Army, Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and Rangers personnel arrived at the blast scene and cordoned off the area. Security forces sealed the area after the suicide bomb attack.

Rescue teams also reached the spot and shifted the injured to Combined Military Hospital (CMH) and General Hospital for medical assistance.

Initial investigation suggests that the attacker targeted the census team and was aged between 18-24 years. Explosive material weighing 8-10 kg was used in the blast. Forensic team has gathered the body parts of the suicide bomber.

Talking to media, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah also confirmed the details. "It appears to have been an act of terrorism. The attack targeted the census team van. The nature of the blast is yet to be ascertained," he said. He admitted that the attack occurred amid security high alert in the city.

Punjab Government Spokesperson Malik Ahmad Khan said, "This was a suicide blast; however the amount of explosives used has yet to be determined." 

"It can safely be assumed that this census team and the security personnel with it were the target of the suicide bomber all along," he said. Meanwhile, splinter group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has reportedly claimed responsibility for the blast.

Corps Commander Lieutenant General Sadiq Ali visited the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) to meet the victims of the blast and inquired about the health of the affectees.

Talking to newsmen, the corps commander assured that those behind the attack would not go unpunished. He pledged to continue anti-terrorism operations till the end of last militant.

President Mamnoon Hussain, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa and others have strongly condemned the attack and expressed grief over the loss of precious lives. 

President Mamnoon Hussain said a handful of terrorists could not obstruct the country's journey to progress. The President said census and all other national projects would be completed on time. He said terrorism would be eliminated from the country and protection of lives of people would be ensured. 

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif sympathized deeply with the martyrs' families and prayed to Allah Almighty to bless the departed souls with eternal peace. 

The PM paid rich tributes to the personnel of Pakistan Army who were targeted while performing their duties during the national census. 

According to the Inter Services Public Relation's (ISPR) media release, COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa said, "The soldiers and civil enumerators who embraced martyrdom were on Census duty."

He said, "Conduct of Census is a national obligation which will be completed at any cost. Sacrifice of precious lives of civil enumerators and soldiers is beyond any doubt a great sacrifice."

"These sacrifices will only strengthen our resolve and with the support of entire nation, we will cleanse the menace of terrorism from our soil," he added. "My heart goes to bereaved families and my highest tributes to martyrs who laid their lives in the line of duty," he said.

CM Punjab Shahbaz Sharif has ordered the authorities to ensure proper medical treatment to the victims. He has also directed Inspector General (IG) Punjab to submit report of the mishap as early as possible.

Federal Finance Minister, Senator Ishaq Dar said, "It was an act of cowardice and those perpetrating such crimes shall not go unpunished."  

The Minister also expressed profound grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in the incident. He prayed for fortitude to the bereaved families to bear this loss with courage and equanimity. He said, "Such incidents cannot dampen the courage of the government and the people in continuing the fight against terror."

Minister of State for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb said, "Terrorist attacks cannot weaken our resolve to eliminate the menace of terrorism."

Meanwhile, State Minister for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali also took to Twitter and condemned the attack. "Tragic incident in Lahore and loss of innocent lives of people who were serving the nation. We stand united as a nation against terrorism," he said. 

Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan also denounced the attack on census team. "Strongly condemn terror attack on Bedian road in Lahore targeting census team leading to loss of precious Pakistani lives," he said in a tweet. 

Funeral prayers for the four security officials, who were martyred in the attack while performing census duty, was offered at Ayub Stadium in Lahore on Wednesday evening.

Besides Corps Commander Lahore, Lieutenant General Sadiq Ali, the Namaz-e-Janaza was also attended by Governor Punjab Rafique Rajwana, Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif, members of civil administration and a large number of serving and retired officers and jawans. 

The soldiers who embraced Shahadat include Havildar Muhammad Riaz, Sepoy Sajid Ali, Sepoy Abdullah and lance Niak Irshad. Their mortal remains were sent to their ancestral villages, where they will be buried with full military honours in the later part of the day.

Earlier, Commander Lahore Corps, Lieutenant General Sadiq Ali visited the injured at CMH and General Hospital. He inquired about their state of health and the medical care being administered to them. 

The Corps commander said that the census team members embraced Shahadat in the line of national service and duty. He said the people of Pakistan have rendered supreme sacrifices for the cause of peace and stability in the country. 

He expressed his resolve that elements behind this cowardly act will not go unpunished and the operation shall continue in all areas against terrorists of all hue without any discrimination. He further added that census is a national obligation and such acts of terrorism cannot deter our commitment to the assigned duty. - NNI