Lahore's Ferozepur blast: Death toll reaches 25

Lahore [Pakistan], July 24 (ANI): The death toll in Lahore's Ferozepur blast has risen and 25 people have been reportedly killed, said a Pakistani official on Monday. District Coordination Officer (DCO) Lahore, Sameer Ahmed told Geo News that aleast 25 people were martyred in a suspected suicide attack in near the Arfa Karim IT Tower on Ferozepur Road of Lahore on Monday. Sources confirmed to Geo News that eight policeman were among those martyred in the explosion. DCO Ahmed further said that 39 people were also injured in the blast. At least 11 of the injured were in critical condition, he said. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LahoreBlast?src=hash">#LahoreBlast</a> - 5 PM update: &quot;39 people injured and 25 persons have lost their lives.&quot; - Deputy Commissioner Lahore <a href="https://t.co/i80n2emf7g">pic.twitter.com/i80n2emf7g</a></p>&mdash; Govt Of The Punjab (@GovtOfPunjab) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovtOfPunjab/status/889460817309184000">July 24, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> DIG Operations Dr Haider Ashraf said a police picket was targeted in the attack. "We are collecting evidence and this could be a suicide bombing. The death toll includes police and civilians." According to police sources, suicide attacker targeted police personnel deployed at the site, Geo News reported. Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, while addressing a press conference, said that the terrorism cannot be ruled out as the motive behind the blast. He added that security forces are conducting their probe. Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan confirmed that an anti-encroachment drive was being conducted during the time of blast. However, the area has been cordoned off by a security forces and the part of the road has been sealed. The injured people were shifted to the Jinnah Hospital and other nearby hospitals. The identities of those killed in the blast are yet to be ascertained. Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa has condemned the blast and directed the army to provide immediate relief and rescue to the victims. (ANI)