By NNN-APP,
Lahore : At least 10 people were injured when five bomb blasts rocked two empty theatres located in busy commercial areas in this eastern Pakistani city of Lahore Friday.
Four blasts occurred either inside or near the Al-Falah Theatre complex on Mall Road, a key thoroughfare located a short distance from the Punjab assembly, between 8.30 pm and 8.45 pm. The theatre was closed for Muharram though some people had come to the hall to book tickets for a play to be staged Saturday.
The first blast occurred at about 8.30 pm and two more explosions followed within the space of a few minutes. The fourth blast occurred almost 15 minutes after the first one, when police and rescue workers had reached the area.
Police officials said all the four blasts were of low intensity.
The fifth blast occurred at about 10.25 pm at Tamaseel Theatre on Ferozpur Road, a densely populated area located about three kilometres from Mall Road. The second theatre to be targeted is located near a busy commercial area and a bus terminus.
Smoke was seen emerging from the Tamaseel Theatre. The blast also caused a leak in a gas pipeline that was subsequently sealed by authorities.
No group claimed responsibility for the attacks.
TV channels reported that 10 people sustained minor injuries in the five blasts. An emergency was declared in hospitals across Lahore.
Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani have strongly condemned the attacks.
The President and the Prime Minister have sought detailed report of the incident from the concerned authorities.