Lahore: At least 10 killed, 35 injured in bomb blast

At least ten persons were killed and 35 others injured on Thursday in a powerful bomb blast in a posh defence locality in Lahore, the second such incident in the city this month as Pakistan witnesses a surge in terror attacks.

Panic gripped the Defence Housing Authority a little before noon when the loud explosion resonated across Z-Block. 

The nature of the blast is yet to be determined and bomb disposal squad and forensic expert are collecting evidences from the spot. "It appears to be a planted device," Punjab police spokesman Niyab Haider said.

Police officials said 8-10 kilogrammes of explosives were used. The area has been cordoned off and a search operation is underway. Several vehicles were also damaged in the blast. The injured are being shifted to different city hospitals.

TV footage shows windows of several offices and eateries in the commercial area shattered by shrapnel. Windscreens of cars parked over 100 feet away from the building were shattered and there was considerable damage to the cars' bodies.

Residents were evacuated from buildings. The Z-block market houses restaurants frequented by young couples.

The latest blast came as security has been tightened across Pakistan after a recent wave of terrorist strikes killed more than 100 people.

On February 16, a suicide bomber killed 88 people at a famed Sufi shrine in Sindh province. Following the attack, the army launched an offensive against militants and claimed to have killed more than 130 terrorists across the country.

Earlier on 13 February, at least 14 people were killed in a suicide bombing near the Punjab Assembly. 

(With inputs from Reuters)