Search For Anarkali Blast Culprits Intensifies As Authorities Scour Lahore

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2022-01-22T17:01:06+05:00 News Desk
Law enforcement agencies have launched multiple raids and search operations across Lahore to catch suspects in Thursday’s explosion in Anarkali market which had left 3 dead and at least 30 wounded.

Both the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) have been separately assigned to the investigation. The CTD is pursuing the case on charges of murder, attempted murder and anti-terrorism.

“We have dispatched teams to all the bus stations, railway stations and exit-entry points of the provincial capital,” said the CIA Chief.

Law enforcement agencies have been able to generate important leads through call record data and various informants.  Geo fending and CCTV footage from inside the bazaar as well as roads surrounding the market provided crucial accounts of the days and moments leading up to the blast, according to an unnamed official speaking to Dawn

Officials suspect the culprits hid explosives, possibly controlled by a timed-device, at Paan Mandi in Anarkali, although no official account has yet been authorized.

Eight people injured in the blast remain under care at Mayo Hospital, although only one victim remains in critical care.

Earlier, CTD interrogated two of the injured from Mayo Hospital.  They were detained at an undisclosed location for questioning.  CTD determined they were members of a 'religio-political' party and released them shortly thereafter.

Two deadly terrorist attacks have occurred in the past week; a blast in Lahore’s Anarkali Market on Thursday left 3 dead and 30 wounded, while on Monday, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants attacked a police check-post in Islamabad.
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