Old Anarkali blast: police arrest 80 suspects

LAHORE: Police have arrested 80 suspects including some Afghans after the blast that killed five persons and injured several others at a packed restaurant in Old Anarkali area on Saturday night, Geo News reported.

Police have also taken some motorcycles into custody from the site of blast.

The police authorities said they have enhanced security at Sunday bazaars and other key buildings.

A timed device was used to detonate the bomb planted outside a restaurant in Old Anarkali's food street, according to police.

CCPO police said that half kilograms of explosive material was rigged under a freezer.

According to Rescue 1122 sources, at least 37 injured were rushed to Mayo Hospital from the blast site, but three of them could not survive. They said that 20 people were in critical condition.

An emergency was declared in the Mayo Hospital, which is one of the biggest healthcare facilities in Lahore.

Five injured were shifted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital while 37 were rushed to Mayo, the rescue sources said.

Old Anarkali is one of the most populous as well as most frequented areas of Lahore, which is famous for its variety of eateries being the oldest food street of the city.

A number of neighbouring shops and vehicles parked outside the unfortunate restaurant were also damaged in the blast.