Blast rocks Lahore; 23 killed, 150 injured

Terror targeted Lahore on Wednesday morning just 30 kms from the Wagah border. A huge explosion, apparently targetting the Punjab province headquarters of the ISI left at least 23 people dead.

The explosion occurred near the Mall Road in the crowded Civil Lines area that houses several buildings, including the Punjab headquarters of the intelligence agency ISI.

Pakistani television channels showed images of damaged buildings and charred cars. There were also reports of firing in the vicinity.

A school in the vicinity wasn't affected and children have been evacuated. Police said it was not yet clear whether it was a suicide attack or an implanted device that went off. There are also Pakistan-media reports that the attack could be linked to JuD chief Hafeez Saeed being produced in court on Wednesday.

There are many versions of what really happened on Wednesday morning.

One eyewitness says two-three men -- possibly suicide bombers entered "Building 1-5". They came in an ambulance. Shortly after a blast was heard. Some men came out firing and managed to escape.

Others say, a red van came towards the police building. It tried to go through the barricade.

The blast took place right outside "Building 1-5". The building was completely razed and over 40 vehicles destroyed and road reduced to rubble as a result of the blast.

The police commandoes have taken position in nearby buildings. The army has been called in.

Two suspects have been arrested, reports say. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. The rescue operations are on. Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, on his part, has ordered probe into the blast.

Interior ministry chief Rehman Malik says the blast could be result of military operation against the Taliban in Swat valley.

He added that the government's operation in the Swat valley was non-negotiable and would continue till the last militant was flushed out.

PTI adds: The attack was apparently aimed at the Punjab province headquarters of the ISI, Pakistan's intelligence agency. An explosives-laden vehicle apparently targetting the ISI headquarters went off in crowded Civil Lines area. The vehicle could not reach the ISI building and blew off at a barrier close to the complex.

Reports said some suspects picked up in connection with the March 3 terror attack on the visiting Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore, were inside the ISI office when the blast took place.

The ISI building sustained some damage due to the impact of the explosion that occured before noon, witnesses said. The blast comes less than two months after the attack on the Police academy at Manawan, close to Lahore on March 30 this year, when armed gunmen laid a siege resulting in the killing of 10 people including eight policemen.

Lahore was also the scene of an attack on the visiting Sri Lankan cricket team on March 3, in which eight people, including six police officials were killed and six cricketers were injured.