3 killed, 20 hurt in Lahore blast

Lahore, January 20

At least three persons were killed and 20 others injured on Thursday in a powerful blast at Paan Mandi in Lahore’s famous Anarkali market, where Indian commodities are sold, the police said.

Lahore police spokesperson Rana Arif confirmed the death of three persons in the blast that shattered windows of nearby shops and buildings, a newspaper reported.

Deputy Inspector General Police Operation Dr Mohammad Abid did not rule out the possibility of a time device implanted in a motorcycle or placed at the market.

“The crater at the blast site indicated the possibility of a time device. However, at this stage we can’t confirm this,” he said. A nine-year-old boy was among the three dead. — Agencies

Baloch group claims attack

A newly formed separatist group based in Balochistan province has claimed responsibility for the attack in a message to a reporter
It said a bank was the target of the attack. The police said they were investigating, saying it was premature to link this to Pakistan Super League Twenty20 cricket tournament scheduled to start in a week or so
Baloch separatists have been waging a low-key insurgency against the Pakistan Government to demand a greater share in the local mineral rich resources