Triple suicide blasts kill 38; injures 174 at Data Darbar: DCO

Updated at: 0111 PST, Friday, July 02, 2010 LAHORE: Three suicide bombers have killed 38 devotees and wounded another 174 at Data Darbar Shrine here late Thursday night, DCO Lahore Sajjad Bhutta and Commissioner Khushro Pervez told media. 24 among injured devotees are said to be critical in condition, hospital sources said adding that emergency has been put in place in all city hospitals. Two attackers blew themselves up inside the shrine while the third one outside it before hurling hand grenades, he added. Relief and rescue activities are underway at the blasts site. A hand grenade has been found near Wazoo Khana of Shrine while police has cordoned off the area. All the injured, some of them in critical condition, have been shifted to nearby hospitals where emergency has been clamped. Data Darbar has five doors out of which four were closed. The only door kept open had a body scanner installed with it and it is still unknown how the bombers made their way inside the shrine. There were a large number of devotees at shrine due to Thursday while ‘Langer’ was happening at the time of explosions. Following the triple suicide blasts, furious mob also staged protest and pelted security forces with stones, which police took under control by resorting to baton charge and firing teargas. Police also claimed recovery of two heads and bodies of alleged suicide bombers, adding that three 10 kg suicide jackets were used to carry out suicide blasts. The situation is under control, police sources confirmed to media. Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, strongly deploring the triple suicide bombing at Data Darbar, has issued directives to law enforcement agencies to probe into heinous crime for submission of a report. Also, Quaid Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has strongly condemned suicide bombings at Data Darbar, calling government for bringing to involved elements to justice. Elderly men, women and young children were also among killed and injured, witnesses and rescue workers told media.