Death toll from Lahore bombing rises to 38

The death toll in the suicide bombings rose as more people succumbed to their injuries in the hospital. A rescue worker said that there were three children, one policeman and the three suicide bombers among the dead. He also added that some of the 300 injured persons had left the hospital after they were treated for minor wounds.

Lahore on high alert

Wednesday's attacks were the first major bombing after floods struck Pakistan a month ago. Several schools and businesses remained closed in mourning a day after the attacks. Hundreds gathered in the city to attend a common burial for 16 victims. Top administration official, Sajjad Bhutta said that security has been tightened to prevent similar incidents from happening. Paramilitary rangers have been put on high alert, he added.

The suicide bombers struck on Wednesday at a Shiite procession which was organised to commemmorate the death of Ali, a close companion of the Prophet Muhammad. Several people set fire to a police station and some vehicles. Paramilitary troops were then deployed to keep the situation under control.

US blacklists the Tehrik-e-Taliban

The Sunni extremist organisation, Lashkar e Jhangvi al Alimi has taken responsibility for the bombing. The organisation is believed to be close to the Pakistani Tehrik e Taliban. Soon after the bombing, US prosecutors charged Pakistani Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud for conspiring to kill seven CIA officials at an American base in Afghanistan last December. The United States has also added the Pakistani Taliban to its list of foreign terror organisations.

Security analysts forecast more attacks as the government reels under pressure from the floods and consequent economic problems. The government is scheduled to meet officials from the International Monetary Fund next week to discuss terms of a new loan which will help the economy stay afloat.

mg/dpa/AFP/Reuters
Editor: Thomas Baerthlein