Lahore:
Three suicide bombers struck in quick succession at the famous Data Darbar shrine in Lahore late on Thursday night, killing at least 38 people and injuring 175 others, officials said.
One attacker blew himself up at the crowded entrance to the shrine and the second in the basement, where people perform ablutions before entering the complex.
The third bomber detonated his explosive vest in a part of the shrine adjoining a busy market, witnesses said.
Thirty-eight people were killed and 175 injured in the blasts, Lahore Commissioner Khusro Pervez told reporters.
Twenty-five of the injured were in a serious condition, he said.
District administration chief Sajjad Bhutta said all three blasts were carried out by suicide bombers.
Several women and children were also among the dead and injured in the blasts, officials said.
The explosions, which occurred within minutes of each other shortly after 11:00 pm, created panic among thousands of worshippers, who ran helter-skelter.
The shrine attracts large crowds every Thursday night with people visiting the complex to offer special prayers.
Police cordoned off the area as rescue workers ferried the bodies and injured to nearby hospitals.
Footage on television showed debris, shoes and blood strewn across the floor of the shrine.
The blast in the basement caused the most damage as the shock waves were intensified by the confined space.
The explosion completely smashed the ceiling and ripped through a large number of people who were performing ablutions in the basement.
Officials said the suicide vests were packed with over 10 kg of explosives and ball bearings.
Data Darbar is the shrine of Syed Abul Hassan bin Usman bin Ali al-Hajweri, who is considered the patron saint of Lahore.
No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack.
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani strongly condemned the blasts at the shrine.
In a message Zardari said such acts of terrorism cannot dent the government's resolve to fight the menace of terrorism and militancy to the end.
One attacker blew himself up at the crowded entrance to the shrine and the second in the basement, where people perform ablutions before entering the complex.
The third bomber detonated his explosive vest in a part of the shrine adjoining a busy market, witnesses said.
Thirty-eight people were killed and 175 injured in the blasts, Lahore Commissioner Khusro Pervez told reporters.
Twenty-five of the injured were in a serious condition, he said.
District administration chief Sajjad Bhutta said all three blasts were carried out by suicide bombers.
Several women and children were also among the dead and injured in the blasts, officials said.
The explosions, which occurred within minutes of each other shortly after 11:00 pm, created panic among thousands of worshippers, who ran helter-skelter.
The shrine attracts large crowds every Thursday night with people visiting the complex to offer special prayers.
Police cordoned off the area as rescue workers ferried the bodies and injured to nearby hospitals.
Footage on television showed debris, shoes and blood strewn across the floor of the shrine.
The blast in the basement caused the most damage as the shock waves were intensified by the confined space.
The explosion completely smashed the ceiling and ripped through a large number of people who were performing ablutions in the basement.
Officials said the suicide vests were packed with over 10 kg of explosives and ball bearings.
Data Darbar is the shrine of Syed Abul Hassan bin Usman bin Ali al-Hajweri, who is considered the patron saint of Lahore.
No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack.
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani strongly condemned the blasts at the shrine.
In a message Zardari said such acts of terrorism cannot dent the government's resolve to fight the menace of terrorism and militancy to the end.
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