Pakistani Taliban claims responsibility for Lahore attacks

The banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the Wednesday suicide attacks on processions of Shiite Muslims in the eastern city Lahore, which killed at least 30 people.

"I, Qari Hussain, accept from the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan side the responsibility of the three suicide attacks in Lahore on the Hazrat Ali (Rahmatullah ali hi) day on Shia procession on 1st September, 2010," said an audio statement sent to local media.

The Taliban leader also warned of more attacks, according to media reports.

Earlier, a banned Punjab-based Sunni extremist group, "Lashkar- e-Jhangvi al-Alami," claimed responsibility for the attacks.

There were three blasts on Wednesday night targeting Shiite Muslims marching in Lahore to mark the death anniversary of Hazrat Ali, the son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad, which killed at least 30 people and injured 200 more, the police said.

District Police Officer Aslam Tarin said that the attacks were carried out when the processions were scheduled to end at their destinations.

Punjab Provincial Law Minister Rana Sanaullah appealed to the religious leaders to remain calm and frustrate designs of those who want to create rift among the people.

Local sources said that some 150 people were injured and sent to several hospitals in Lahore. A large number of people rushed to the hospitals to donate blood to the injured.

The government ordered paramilitary rangers to restore peace as angry people attacked a police station and burnt police vehicles.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani condemned the attacks and directed the concerned authorities to investigate into the incident. The government of Punjab province has declared three days of mourning starting from Thursday.

Source: Xinhua