Lahore suicide blast death toll rises to 11

LAHORE: The death toll from Wednesday’s suicide blast outside the Data Darbar shrine in Lahore rose to 11, as another police official succumbed to his injuries earlier today.

Policeman Saddam Hussain, a resident of Kasur, passed away due to injuries sustained in the blast, an official from Mayo Hospital’s emergency ward said, bringing the toll from the latest terrorist attack to 11.

Around 26 others were being treated for their injuries, two of whom were in critical condition, the official added.

The blast, which targetted a police van stationed outside the entrance of Data Darbar, claimed the lives of five police officials, a security guard and civilians.

The other four martyred police officers were identified as Head Constable Shahid Nazir, Head Constable Muhammad Sohail, Head Constable Gulzar Ahmad, and Constable Muhammad Saleem. 

According to Shahbaz Gill, spokesperson for chief minister of Punjab, the suicide bomber was a 15-year-old boy who blew himself up near the Elite Force police van stationed outside the 11th century shrine.