Pakistan, LAHORE – Twin remote-controlled explosions on Wednesday injured around 23 people in Fruit Mandi of Lahore, Pakistan. The injured have been taken to nearby hospitals.
According to preliminary reports, the first blast took place at the entry to the market. Eye-witnesses reportedly said that the explosive device was placed in a fruit stall.
The second blast is reported to have taken place in the nearby merchant parking lot.
The fruit market area has been cordoned off, and security and rescue personnel have began investigating at the sites of the blasts.
There is no news of casualties as yet, and the nature of the blasts is still unknown, an official states.
However, reports on social media are different from what the officials said:
Radio #Pakistan reporting 12 dead in #Lahore blasts, other sources say 20 injured & no casualties #karachi #breaking
— Karachi_Post (@Karachi_Post) August 1, 2012
Chief Minister of Punjab, Mr. Shahbaz Sharif after hearing about the blasts, has ordered a detailed a detailed investigation of the incident from the Senior Police personnel of the city. Sharif has also instructed authorities to provide all possible medical services to the victims of the blasts.
Security has been increased to high alert in Lahore, Pakistan in the immediate aftermath of the blast. Security checks on entrance and exit routes of the city have been raised.
