LAHORE: A blast has killed at least two and injured over 60 including women and children at Lahore Railway Station, here on Tuesday. According to police officials, a planted bomb of six to eight kilograms has exploded in the waiting lounge of the railway station at platform number 2.
Lahore’s City Policy Chief Aslam Tareen confirmed that a porter, Muhammad Boota, and a police constable, Baba Siddique, lost their lives in the incident. “With the security checks in place, the incident should not have occurred,” he added.
According to the Rescue 1122, over 60 injured including 14 women have been taken to different hospitals. Five of the wounded are in critical condition, a health official told Reuters.
The explosion took place near the business train counter located between the platform number 1 and 2. The blast occurred soon after the Awami Express train reached the platform from Rawalpindi.
The Minister for the Railways Ghulam Ahmed Bilour announced a compensation of Rs 0.5 million each for the heirs of the dead, while Rs 0.1 million will be given to those who were seriously injured.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani condemned the incident and ordered a detailed report of the incident. Security has been beefed up in all major cities after the incident.