By NNN-APP
Islamabad : Chief Secretary Punjab Sulman Siddique Thursday said that the blast at GPO choke Lahore was a suicide attack that claimed heavy casualties mainly of the police officials.
So far 21 deaths have been confirmed 19 out of which were the police official, he told PTV in an interview.
The number of injured is 44 out of which 5 are in serious condition and they are undergoing the surgery.
He said that instant rescue operation was made on the spot of incident and all the injured and dead have been shifted to various hospitals in the city.
In Mayo Hospital 56 victims were shifted out of which 20 including 19 police officials have been declared dead.
Three of the victims brought to Mayo Hospital were in serious condition. He said 8 victims of the incident were brought to Services Hospital one of them died on way to hospital.
Two out of these were seriously injured while 5 received minor injuries.
He said that 4 people with minor injuries were shifted to Gangaram Hospital.
To a question he said heavy deployment of police was made at the premises in view of the lawyers’ rally.
He said the head of suicide attacker was taken into the custody by police and the investigation was going on. He hoped the identity of the suicide attacker would be made very soon and his linkages with other outlaws would be discovered.
To another question he said it would be premature to claim the linkage of suicide attacker with Sargodha incident adding the law enforcing agencies have complete particulars of the culprits involved in Sargodah incident.
Responding yet to another question the Chief Secretary said that appropriate measures have been evolved to ensure peace during the month of Muharram, adding there will be only one entry and one exit way in the majalis.
The visitors would thoroughly be screened he said adding comprehensive briefing is being given to the police officials to ensure peaceful conduct of processions.