TEHRAN, July 25, YJC - Iran said the only way to tackle terrorism in the region and the world is avoiding double-standards, as categorically slammed the recent terrorist attack in Lahore, Pakistan, which left dozens killed and injured.
TEHRAN, Young Journalists Club (YJC) - Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said, “Resorting to violence and terrorism has been born from a degenerated ideology which does not have anything to say except the language of bullying and unbridled violence.”
He said the Islamic Republic of Iran believes that the only way to get out of wave of terrorism in the region and the world is to ‘honestly deal with this devil phenomenon and avoid using terrorism and terrorism business for political objectives or in line with double-standards.”
At least 26 people, including nine policemen, were killed while 58 others were injured in a bombing attack near the Arfa Karim IT Tower on Lahore's Ferozepur Road on Monday afternoon.
Lahore's DIG Operations Haider Ashraf said that the blast, which occurred at around 3:55pm, was a "suicide attack" and that “police were the target”. The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility, stating that a "suicide attacker" had used a motorcycle bomb to target police officials.
A CTD spokesperson confirmed that nine policemen were killed in the blast. The injured included at least six policemen.
Rescue 1122 teams shifted the injured to nearby hospitals, where an emergency had been imposed.
Punjab government spokesperson Malik Mohammad Ahmed said the attack had occurred at an old vegetable market in the Kot Lakhpat neighbourhood in Lahore. The area is a busy locality and the office of the Punjab chief minister is located nearby.
Another police officer, Kashif Aslam, said the bombing targeted policemen who were providing security for the Lahore Development Authority, which was involved in demolition work targetting encroachments nearby. Anti-riot police had been deployed forthe activity.
Police and other law enforcement personnel had reached the site of the incident soon after the bombing and cordoned off the area. Forensics teams had also collected evidence from the blast site to determine the nature of the explosion.
Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif, Army Chief Gen Qamar Bajwa and others expressed their grief over the loss of lives in the attack.