Lahore witness to five terror attacks in 2010

LAHORE - Lahore, the capital of Punjab province in central Pakistan, once known for its exquisite gardens and seats of knowledge, has witnessed five terror attacks this year, which left more than 230 people killed.

At least 20 powerful blasts have hit the city since 2008, leaving over 425 people dead and 2,000 injured.

A massive blast rocked the city’s main mall road near GPO chowk Jan 10, 2008, which claimed lives of 24 policemen.

The first attack this year occurred at the building of special investigative agency (SIA) of police in model town area March 8, which killed 13 people. Four days later, more than 40 people were killed in twin suicide attacks near RA bazaar in the heavily guarded cantonment area March 12.

In yet another twin blasts targeting places of worship of Ahmadi community May 28, more than 100 people were killed and over 300 were injured in Model Town and Garhi Shahu, respectively.

Similarly, two back-to-back suicide attacks July 1 at the revered Sufi shrine Data Darbar killed 47 people and injured more than 175.

In the latest terrorist attack Wednesday, three suicide blasts within a span of half an hour killed 38 people and injured over 250.

Security officials claimed to have arrested several miscreants but the frequent terrorist activities have not come to a halt. Banned militant outfit Tehreek-i-Taliban has claimed responsibility for most of these attacks.

(Awais Saleem can be contacted at ians.pakistan@gmail.com)