LAHORE: Ten people were killed and 48 others injured in twin blasts in two churches in the Youhanabad area of Lahore on Sunday, Express News reported.

According to initial reports, it was a suicide blast. Rescue teams and security officials have reached the site of the blast.

12:58pm

“Ten people have been killed and over 48 injured in the attacks,” General Hospital spokesperson says.

The deceased include a child and a police constable.

12:55pm

Express News screengrab of the enraged mob

12:54pm

Our correspondent Sarah Eleazar reports the news of a third blast was a mere rumour.

12:53pm

The main gate of St John’s Catholic Church was destroyed due to blast, our correspondent Rana Tanveer reports.

12:52pm

“Owing to the large number of people expected to attend the services, the church administration had divided the morning service into two parts,” Nadim Anthony, a member of the Christian community told The Express Tribune.

He said the first service was held from 8am to 9am, while the second service was taking place when the blast took place.

“Both the blasts were suicide attacks,” he further claims.

12:48pm

The death toll now stands at 6, according to AFP.

12:47pm

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar has condemned the blast and sought a report from police.

12:45pm

Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan Jammatul Ahrar has claimed responsibility for the attacks.

“We have carried out the attack,” TTP JA spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan told The Express Tribune via phone.

Ehsan used his Afghan mobile number to call the media in Islamabad and Peshawar.

“We have reached Lahore, the center of Punjab province, which is a challenge and a warning to the rulers,” Ehsan said.

When asked that the group has targeted civilians at the Church, he said, “They are our real enemies.”

He said the ‘Aafia Siddiqui Brigade,’ a group of the suicide bombers, was assigned to carry out the attack.

This is the first claim from TTP JA after having merged with the TTP.

Read: Collective front: Mangal Bagh, Jamaatul Ahrar TTP merge

12:42pm

Police have resorted to aerial firing to disperse the enraged crowd as mayhem unfolds in Youhanabad.

12:41pm

The death toll now stands at 5, according to rescue officials.

Further, 53 people have been injured.

12:36pm

12:34pm

Four killed, 45 injured in the twin attacks , according to Express News.

12:32pm

Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan Jamaatul Ahrar (TTP-JA) claims responsibility for attacks.

12:31pm

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has condemned the blast.

12:30pm

12:29pm

Our correspondent Sarah Eleazar reports a third church in F Block has also been targeted.

12:28pm

Worshippers have gathered outside the churches after the explosions and are protesting against the government for not providing sufficient security.

12:27pm

Eye witness Aslam Pervez Sahotra says he is sure attack on Catholic Church was a suicide blast. “Children and women are hurt in the explosion,” he adds.

Sahotra says the blasts took place due to lack of security. He further says both the churches were crowded when they were targeted.

12:25pm

As per initial reports, there were 800 people present inside one church and 1,100 people in the other.

12:22pm

A police constable and a child have been killed in the blasts, Express News reports.

12:21pm

An emergency has been declared at General Hospital.

12:20pm

Our correspondent Rana Tanveer reports that Christ Church and Catholic Church situated at short distance in Yohbabad area were attacked.

 12:19pm

Aslam Pervez Sahotra, an eye witness, tells The Express Tribune that the worshippers were targeted when they came out of the churches after Sunday service.

12:17pm

According to eyewitnesses, two suicide bombers reached the gates of two churches and tried to enter the church. When stopped, the suicide bombers blew themselves up.

Further, they added the Sunday church ceremony was underway at the time of the blasts.

12:16pm

Forty-five people have been injured, according to Express News.

12:10pm

The enraged mob is dragging the body of the deceased suspect and beating it up in reaction to the blasts.

His body has been set on fire.

Express News screengrab

12:05pm

Two people killed, 30 injured in twin blasts.

The deceased were suspects and beaten to death by an enraged mob near the blast site.

12:00pm

A suspicious person has been held by the people from near the blast site. The enraged crowd has beaten up the man severely.

11:45am

The injured have been shifted to General Hospital.

http://tribune.com.pk/story/853616/blast-heard-in-lahore-2/