Suicide bomber kills over 50 in Lahore park

Lahore, March 27: More than 50 people were killed when a suicide bomber blew himself up on Sunday evening near the main gate of the crowded Gulshan-e-Iqbal park here, media reports said.

The deafening explosion took place around 6.30 p.m. when the park was teeming with families, especially women and children, enjoying the Sunday and Easter holiday.

Media reports quoted some witnesses as saying that body parts were strewn everywhere. So was blood.

While police officials confirmed about 25 deaths, Pakistani media said the toll was as high as 50.

More than 100 people were injured and rushed to hospitals, where many of them were said to be in critical condition, The tion and Dawn newspapers said.

Superintendent of Police Muhammad Iqbal of Iqbal Town area, where the park is located, confirmed it was a suicide attack. Deputy Inspector General of Police Haider Ashraf added that the suicide bomber blew up in the parking lot. Xinhua news agency quoted police as saying that the terrorist's body parts were found at the site.

Rescuers, including police, and more than 20 ambulances rushed to the park and began ferrying the wounded.

ARY News said 5-6 kg of explosives may have been used in the explosion, which was heard in a large part of Lahore, capital of Punjab province.

An emergency was declared in all government hospitals in Lahore. Police cordoned off the park.

Prime Minister waz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif condemned the ghastly terror attack.