Lahore: On Wednesday, an explosion close to a major Sufi shrine in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore caused several casualties, officials said. A vehicle carrying personnel of elite Punjab Police was targetted, agencies reported citing sources. Citing state media, news agency AFP reported that 15 people were injured in the blast.

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The blast took place close to the Data Darbar, one of the largest shrines in South Asia, and several people including police officers had been wounded, Punjab province police spokesman Nayab Haider told Reuters.

According to the sources, four police officials killed in Lahore blast outside Data Darbar shrine, 18 people injured. At least 19 others are reportedly injured all of whom have been shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment. TV footage showed a badly damaged police vehicle that authorities said was the target.

City police Chief Ghazanfar Ali says police officers were the apparent target of Wednesday’s bombing outside the shrine which is known as Data Darbar. He says hundreds of pilgrims were inside and outside the shrine when the blast took place.

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