Pakistan blast 'kills 30' near India

[undeterred]

Source: BBC News

Explosion at Pakistan-India border town close to Lahore kills at least 30 people, officials and reports say

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-29871077?ns_mchannel=social&ns_campaign=bbc_breaking&ns_source=twitter&ns_linkname=news_central

[undeterred]

2. Bombing in Pakistan Kills Nearly 45, Police Say

LAHORE, Pakistan — Nov 2, 2014, 10:40 AM ET
By ZAHEER BABAR Associated Press

A bomb exploded near a Pakistani paramilitary checkpoint Sunday, killing at least 45 people near the country's eastern border with India in an attack suspected to be the work of a suicide bomber, police said. The explosion hit near a checkpoint at the Wagah border crossing on the outskirts of Lahore, Punjab provincial police chief Mushtaq Sukhera said. The death toll was likely to rise because over 70 people were wounded, with several in critical condition, he said.

Police are investigating the bombing, and had intelligence reports in advance that there could be such a blast in the city, he said. Another Lahore officer, Haider Ashraf, said some paramilitary soldiers were among the dead and wounded. The paramilitary forces' provincial Director General Tahir Javed said three soldiers died. All the officers said they did not know what the target could have been. No one has claimed responsibility for the bombing.

Security has been increased in all major Pakistani cities to thwart possible attacks on minority Shiite Muslims observing Ashura, a 10-day ritual to commemorate the death of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad. But, Haider said, there was no such Shiite processions happening in the area where the incident took place.

Suspicion likely is to fall on Pakistani Taliban or any of their allied militant groups. The militants have been waging a war against the state for over a decade in a bid to topple the government and install their own harsh brand of Islam, killing thousands of Pakistanis.

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/pakistan-police-bombing-kills-20-26635356

[undeterred]

3. Suicide blast hits Wagah

*60 killed, 150 wounded as bomber explodes himself in parking area of border post amid crowd of people returning from the parade ground after witnessing the daily flag-lowering ceremony*Several shops, vehicles and Customs building damaged in explosion*Banned Jundullah claims responsibility for attack

LAHORE: At least 60 people, including three Rangers officials, children and women, were killed in a suicide blast at Wagah Border parking area right after the traditional flag-lowering ceremony, while more than 150 citizen, including five Rangers officials, received injuries on Sunday.

The death toll was likely to rise as several severely injured people were under treatment in different government and private hospitals across the city. The deceased Rangers officials were identified as Inspector Rizwan, Hawaldar Shahbir and Lance Naik Sultan. The blast damaged shops, motorcycles, vehicles and the customs building. The Gurki Hospital where a large number of injured and dead were taken was struggling to cope. After the incident, the Rangers and police cordoned off the area and started a search operation.

The suicide bombing took place in a car park on the Pakistani side at least 500 meters from the border with India. No Indian troops were hurt in the attack. “I was sitting in my office near the border when I heard the blast. I rushed to the scene and saw scattered bodies, injured men, women and children and smashed cars,” an intelligence source told Reuters. Law enforcers did not allow media to visit the crime scene as they collected evidence and wanted to prevent its destruction. City police has further beefed up the security in the provincial capital after this incident. Police had been patrolling all important and sensitive areas, majalis and other places on a daily basis for the last few days to maintain law and order during Muharram. The incident occurred at around 5:45pm when people were busy shopping and eating after the flag-lowering ceremony. A suicide bomber blew himself, killing more than 60 people and injuring over 150.

Families of the deceased and injured began gathering at the hospital where the bodies were kept in the open foyer due to unavailability of space. The blast was very loud and spread panic among the locals. After being informed a number of people gathered at the blast site and the hospital to help or donate blood for the injured persons. The explosion had initially been attributed to a cylinder blast and later it was reported as of a remote-controlled or planted device. However, Inspector General of Police Mushtaq Sukhera confirmed that it was a suicide attack.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/national/03-Nov-2014/suicide-blast-hits-wagah

[LeftInTX]

4. Wagah Border - daily flag lowering ceremony