One dead, over 30 injured in blast near Lahore’s Band Road

Lahore [Pakistan]: At least one person has been reported dead and more than 30 injured in a blast that occurred in a fruit-laden truck parked at Sagian Bridge near Lahore’s Band Road on Monday night.

A body was found in the debris of a nearby house impacted by the explosion, Geo News quoted rescue officials.

The deceased identified as Amanat Ali, is said to have been the resident of Kamoke.

The injured, including women and children, were rushed to the nearby hospitals for treatment.

According to the report, the truck was suspected to be coming from Swat and had explosives concealed in the fruit crates stacked inside.

Several vehicles in the area were also damaged due to the intensity of the explosion.

Initial investigations suggest that the blast was caused due to an improvised explosive device (IED) in the truck.

Lahore has witnessed several terror attacks in recent months and the Monday’s attack comes week after a bombing claimed by the Pakistani Taliban killed at least 26 people and injured dozens at a vegetable market in the provincial capital’s Ferozepur area.

Meanwhile, four terrorists were killed in an unrelated police encounter near Sagian late Monday night.

A spokesperson for the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) said that that explosive materials and weapons were recovered from the deceased terrorists. (ANI)