LAHORE, Aug 19:A powerful explosion ripped through a Muharram procession in central Pakistan’s Punjab province today, killing at least two, including a seven-year-old girl, and wounding 25 people, senior police officials said.
The incident took place in Bahawalnagar, some 260 kilometres from Lahore when a Shia procession was heading to an Imambargah as part of the annual Ashura commemoration.
Videos circulating on social media showed people running around in panic after the blast and ambulances rushing injured persons to the hospital.
The senior police officer said that apparently a man threw grenades at the procession despite high security.
“Two persons including a seven-year-old girl Maheen and 20-year-old Salman lost their lives while over 25 were injured,” he said.
He said the suspect threw grenades when the procession passed by the Jamaia Masjid Mohajir Colony at 10 am this morning.
“Police have arrested the suspect on the spot,” he said.
A senior police official from Multan also said the police had arrested the man who threw the grenade on the Ashura procession.
“He is in police custody and investigations will be carried out to find out his links and contacts as well,” he said.
Rescuers have shifted the injured to district headquarters hospital Bahawalnagar where the condition of five of them is said to be critical. (PTI)
Follow our WhatsApp channel
