Suicide blasts at Pakistan shrine kill 45, injure 200

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In a rare attack on a shrine, at least 45 people were killed in two back-to-back suicide attacks at Data Darbar in Lahore city late on Thursday night.
“Thirty-five died on the spot and ten more lost the battle for life today. We have confirmation of 45 deaths,” a senior police official told this newspaper.

He added, “Over 200 people were injured and several are in critical condition. We expect the death tool to rise.” The suicide attacks took place at the always crowded shrine of sufi saint Data Gunj Bukhsh in the heart of Lahore.
The police said two terrorists wearing vests packed with explosives, weighing around 20 kilograms, blew themselves up at two different places on the Darbar premises, frequented by the devotees, especially on Thursdays. The first attacker blew himself up in the basement at around 10.46 pm, while the second entered the courtyard before detonating his explosives after an interval of two minutes. The attacks took place when hundreds of devotees had gathered to pray at the Darbar, the police said.
Officials said both the bombers were about 20-22 years of age. A grenade shell was recovered from near the Wuzukhana (ablution place) of the Darbar.
The blast site presented a horrifying scene with bodies and remains scattered over a 100-metre area. The first blast ripped through the walls of the Wuzukhana in the basement and sent flames and acrid smoke through the premises.
The blast also caused a fire, partially gutting goods and shattering the windowpanes and doors in the basement.
Mian Sajjad Ahmad, Sajjada Nasheen (In-charge) of the Darbar, said they had been receiving threats. He regretted that inadequate security measures led to the incident. He believed that no Muslim could be involved in the said act of terrorism.
The place was the last resort for homeless and hungry people as free food was served here round the clock. Many visitors from other districts also took shelter in the Darbar especially in the basement to sleep. Charred and wrecked doors and windows and melted frames were scattered around the basement. Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Friday strongly condemned the attacks.
Mr Gilani said, “Terrorists have no consideration for any religion, faith or belief.”
The carnage at the Sufi shrine was caught on camera in dramatic CCTV footage showing the bombers and the blast which sent hundreds of panicked worshippers fleeing in all directions.