Ashraf Javed & Rana Latif
LAHORE – Security was put on high alert throughout the country on Friday following triple suicide attacks at the shrine of Data Ali Hajveri (RA) triggering furious protests in Lahore and other cities, in which participants blamed the United States for the deadly blasts.
Deep grief and sadness blanketed entire Lahore in particular and the country in general following Thursday nightÂ’s suicide attacks in which death toll had risen to 46.
A joint team of investigators has begun probe into the gory incident as they have got some important clues.
Security sources disclosed that intelligence officials had picked up six key suspects during successful raids, carried out in various parts of the City shortly after the investigators had ascertained identification of one of the bombers, whose head had been recovered from the crime scene.
Sources close to the joint investigation team did not rule out the possibility of the involvement of foreign hand in the act of terrorism and said that it might be the outcome of ‘proxy war’ being fought in Afghanistan.
Several religious parties took out protest rallies and announced three days countrywide mourning to condemn the killings.
Sources in the Crimes Investigations Agency (CIA) police disclosed that they had captured four key suspects linked to Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) during a joint raid along with the intelligence officials and recovered huge cache of sophisticated weapons including rocket-launchers, hand grenades and assault rifles.
The police also recovered maps of different important government installations from their possession, sources said, adding that the suspected terrorists wanted to target CIA headquarters simultaneously in different parts of the City. They have been shifted to an undisclosed location for further interrogation.
Devotees blamed the Punjab government for security failure and said that despite warnings the terrorists had managed to break through the security ring and reached their target successfully.
‘Only two policemen were on guard there when the blasts took place. There were no proper security measures. Therefore, the terrorists, disguised as devotees wearing typical clothes, managed to enter the shrine premises,’ an official of the shrine administration said, seeking anonymity.
The law enforcement agencies are on their toes across the Punjab to avoid any further untoward happening but no one knows if they would be able to foil any terror attempt in future.
However, heavy police deployment across the City was visible on Friday as the police also stepped up snap checking.
The scenes of carnage at one of countryÂ’s holiest shrines was caught on camera by closed-circuit televisions which recorded the bombers in the final moments before they blew themselves up.
According to police sources, one of the suicide bombers has been identified as Usman Tariq, son of Yasin, a resident of Hydiara located in the outskirts of Lahore. He was identified through CCTV footage.
Usman detonated the first explosive device in the basement of the shrine after being followed by Razakars (volunteers) at the security gate of the shrine.
The dramatic footage shows a security guard at the Sufi shrine in Lahore chasing after one of the bombers shortly before a huge blast which sent crowds of panicked worshippers fleeing in all directions.
A guard identified as Salim Raza, who was posted at an entry gate equipped with a scanner, detected a suspicious man clad in a green turban, white robes and a shawl and carrying a bag.
He ran after the bomber who seconds later detonated his explosives, engulfing the site in a huge cloud of white smoke and leaving the white marble floor splattered with blood, body parts and peopleÂ’s belongings.
Sources said that the police have also arrested UsmanÂ’s two brothers and shifted them to unknown location for interrogation. According to initial reports, Usman went missing from his residence some four days back and the victim family identified him after watching CCTV footage.
‘Those who wanted to destabilise nuclear-armed Pakistan can go to any extent. They are targeting everything: public places, mosques, non-Muslims, minorities and religious sects. We know they are being trained in Afghanistan and the mastermind plans attacks from outside Pakistan’, a top government official said, requesting his name not to be mentioned as he was not authorised to speak to media.
The funeral prayers of 30 of the dead were offered. The police handed over bodies to victim families after they identified their loved ones. Over a dozen bodies are still lying in the City mortuary, as which are beyond recognition.
The death toll reached 46 till Friday evening while the condition of a few other victims was also reported critical. Dozens of injured are under intensive care in several public hospitals of the City, hospital sources said.
When contacted, a top official in the Home Ministry, on the condition of anonymity disclosed that various banned religious outfits had joined TTP and Al-Qaeda network.
Sunni Ittehad Council, an alliance of religious parties, has announced countrywide strike on Saturday (today) to protest the deadly attacks.
Despite attacks, people in a great number visited the Data shrine and offered Fajr and Juma prayers.
Meanwhile, Punjab government announced that police have apprehended key members of a number of terrorist gangs involved in major incidents of terrorism in the province.
According to an official statement, it said those arrested also included the terrorists and their accomplices who were involved in attacks at worship places and Parade Lane Rawalpindi. A huge quantity of weapons weighing about 22 tons including sophisticated weapons and latest firearms as well as uniforms of different security agencies have also been recovered from the terrorists.
Widespread protests were staged on Friday throughout the country. The demonstrations and protests were staged not simply against the attack and killings of innocent people but the negligence of the government, security lapses, police apathy and soft corners given to the banned outfits who were continuing their activities unabated.
Dozens of protest demonstrations staged at various localities in Lahore showed extreme anger directed at the United States.
“America is killing Muslims in Afghanistan and in our tribal areas and militants are attacking Pakistan to express anger against the government for supporting America,” said protester Zahid Umar.
Pakistanis are suffering because of American policies and aggression in the region, said another protester. He and others said the attacks would end if the US would pull out of Afghanistan.
Lahorites pelted stones on police and civil administrationÂ’s vehicles. Major protest staged by Sunni Tehrik outside Data Darbar which was participated by hundreds of people. The participants exhibited arms and voiced spirited slogans against the attackers and America.
Protest demonstrations were also staged at Bund Road, Shahrah-e-Quaid-e-Azam and McLeod Road. After Juma prayers, protests were held outside dozens of mosques.
The police foiled an attempt by angry people to demonstrate outside Punjab Assembly, but they were forced to disperse at Regal Chowk.
Protests were also held in Karachi, Peshawar, Multan and other major cities.
Washington “is encouraging Indians and Jews to carry out attacks” in Pakistan, said a protester Arifa Moen in Multan.
Staff Reporter from Karachi adds: Following the suicide attacks at Data Darbar, intelligence and law enforcement agencies have beefed up the security at all worship places, Sufi shrines and mosques across Sindh.
Sources said that around 80 shrines of saints, including 36 in Karachi, are declared sensitive by the Sindh Auqaf Department across the province following the threat of terrorism.
The shrines of saints are being declared sensitive in Karachi include Haji Pir Ghaib Shah, Muhammad Shah Dola, Kutub Alam Shah, Syed Ali Sarmat, Sheikh Sultan Shah, Noor Ali Shah (Shaheed), Jumman Shah, Zinda Shah Madar, Sakhi Sultan, Bachal Shah Mastan Shah, Chuttan Shah, Bibi Miran Pir, Jamal Shah, Mehmood Shah Bukhari, Noori Shah Ghazi Achi Kabar, Syed Ali Miran Datar, Baba Chuttan Shah, Ahmed Shah Bukhari, Jalal Shah, Muhammad Shah Bukhari and Yousuf Shah Bukhari which are located in various parts of the City including Clifton, Kharadar, M A Jinnah Road, Light House, Garden, Teen Hattie, Korangi, Lyari, Lee Market, Azizabad, Beem Pura, Bumbai Bazaar, Chanesar Goth and others. A number of devotees throng there to pay homage to the saints especially on Thursdays and Sundays and also on the occasions of ‘Urs’ and ‘Nau-Chandi Jum-e-Raat’.
Sources in the Auqaf Department said that they had already been informed by the intelligence and law enforcement agencies about the security lapses at the shrines and asked them for foolproof security to avoid any untoward incident.
However, taking security measures, the Karachi police claimed to have beefed up the security not only at the shrines but also at the mosques and Imambargahs.

Ashraf Javed & Rana Latif
LAHORE – Security was put on high alert throughout the country on Friday following triple suicide attacks at the shrine of Data Ali Hajveri (RA) triggering furious protests in Lahore and other cities, in which participants blamed the United States for the deadly blasts.
Deep grief and sadness blanketed entire Lahore in particular and the country in general following Thursday nightÂ’s suicide attacks in which death toll had risen to 46.
A joint team of investigators has begun probe into the gory incident as they have got some important clues.
Security sources disclosed that intelligence officials had picked up six key suspects during successful raids, carried out in various parts of the City shortly after the investigators had ascertained identification of one of the bombers, whose head had been recovered from the crime scene.
Sources close to the joint investigation team did not rule out the possibility of the involvement of foreign hand in the act of terrorism and said that it might be the outcome of ‘proxy war’ being fought in Afghanistan.
Several religious parties took out protest rallies and announced three days countrywide mourning to condemn the killings.
Sources in the Crimes Investigations Agency (CIA) police disclosed that they had captured four key suspects linked to Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) during a joint raid along with the intelligence officials and recovered huge cache of sophisticated weapons including rocket-launchers, hand grenades and assault rifles.
The police also recovered maps of different important government installations from their possession, sources said, adding that the suspected terrorists wanted to target CIA headquarters simultaneously in different parts of the City. They have been shifted to an undisclosed location for further interrogation.
Devotees blamed the Punjab government for security failure and said that despite warnings the terrorists had managed to break through the security ring and reached their target successfully.
‘Only two policemen were on guard there when the blasts took place. There were no proper security measures. Therefore, the terrorists, disguised as devotees wearing typical clothes, managed to enter the shrine premises,’ an official of the shrine administration said, seeking anonymity.
The law enforcement agencies are on their toes across the Punjab to avoid any further untoward happening but no one knows if they would be able to foil any terror attempt in future.
However, heavy police deployment across the City was visible on Friday as the police also stepped up snap checking.
The scenes of carnage at one of countryÂ’s holiest shrines was caught on camera by closed-circuit televisions which recorded the bombers in the final moments before they blew themselves up.
According to police sources, one of the suicide bombers has been identified as Usman Tariq, son of Yasin, a resident of Hydiara located in the outskirts of Lahore. He was identified through CCTV footage.
Usman detonated the first explosive device in the basement of the shrine after being followed by Razakars (volunteers) at the security gate of the shrine.
The dramatic footage shows a security guard at the Sufi shrine in Lahore chasing after one of the bombers shortly before a huge blast which sent crowds of panicked worshippers fleeing in all directions.
A guard identified as Salim Raza, who was posted at an entry gate equipped with a scanner, detected a suspicious man clad in a green turban, white robes and a shawl and carrying a bag.
He ran after the bomber who seconds later detonated his explosives, engulfing the site in a huge cloud of white smoke and leaving the white marble floor splattered with blood, body parts and peopleÂ’s belongings.
Sources said that the police have also arrested UsmanÂ’s two brothers and shifted them to unknown location for interrogation. According to initial reports, Usman went missing from his residence some four days back and the victim family identified him after watching CCTV footage.
‘Those who wanted to destabilise nuclear-armed Pakistan can go to any extent. They are targeting everything: public places, mosques, non-Muslims, minorities and religious sects. We know they are being trained in Afghanistan and the mastermind plans attacks from outside Pakistan’, a top government official said, requesting his name not to be mentioned as he was not authorised to speak to media.
The funeral prayers of 30 of the dead were offered. The police handed over bodies to victim families after they identified their loved ones. Over a dozen bodies are still lying in the City mortuary, as which are beyond recognition.
The death toll reached 46 till Friday evening while the condition of a few other victims was also reported critical. Dozens of injured are under intensive care in several public hospitals of the City, hospital sources said.
When contacted, a top official in the Home Ministry, on the condition of anonymity disclosed that various banned religious outfits had joined TTP and Al-Qaeda network.
Sunni Ittehad Council, an alliance of religious parties, has announced countrywide strike on Saturday (today) to protest the deadly attacks.
Despite attacks, people in a great number visited the Data shrine and offered Fajr and Juma prayers.
Meanwhile, Punjab government announced that police have apprehended key members of a number of terrorist gangs involved in major incidents of terrorism in the province.
According to an official statement, it said those arrested also included the terrorists and their accomplices who were involved in attacks at worship places and Parade Lane Rawalpindi. A huge quantity of weapons weighing about 22 tons including sophisticated weapons and latest firearms as well as uniforms of different security agencies have also been recovered from the terrorists.
Widespread protests were staged on Friday throughout the country. The demonstrations and protests were staged not simply against the attack and killings of innocent people but the negligence of the government, security lapses, police apathy and soft corners given to the banned outfits who were continuing their activities unabated.
Dozens of protest demonstrations staged at various localities in Lahore showed extreme anger directed at the United States.
“America is killing Muslims in Afghanistan and in our tribal areas and militants are attacking Pakistan to express anger against the government for supporting America,” said protester Zahid Umar.
Pakistanis are suffering because of American policies and aggression in the region, said another protester. He and others said the attacks would end if the US would pull out of Afghanistan.
Lahorites pelted stones on police and civil administrationÂ’s vehicles. Major protest staged by Sunni Tehrik outside Data Darbar which was participated by hundreds of people. The participants exhibited arms and voiced spirited slogans against the attackers and America.
Protest demonstrations were also staged at Bund Road, Shahrah-e-Quaid-e-Azam and McLeod Road. After Juma prayers, protests were held outside dozens of mosques.
The police foiled an attempt by angry people to demonstrate outside Punjab Assembly, but they were forced to disperse at Regal Chowk.
Protests were also held in Karachi, Peshawar, Multan and other major cities.
Washington “is encouraging Indians and Jews to carry out attacks” in Pakistan, said a protester Arifa Moen in Multan.
Staff Reporter from Karachi adds: Following the suicide attacks at Data Darbar, intelligence and law enforcement agencies have beefed up the security at all worship places, Sufi shrines and mosques across Sindh.
Sources said that around 80 shrines of saints, including 36 in Karachi, are declared sensitive by the Sindh Auqaf Department across the province following the threat of terrorism.
The shrines of saints are being declared sensitive in Karachi include Haji Pir Ghaib Shah, Muhammad Shah Dola, Kutub Alam Shah, Syed Ali Sarmat, Sheikh Sultan Shah, Noor Ali Shah (Shaheed), Jumman Shah, Zinda Shah Madar, Sakhi Sultan, Bachal Shah Mastan Shah, Chuttan Shah, Bibi Miran Pir, Jamal Shah, Mehmood Shah Bukhari, Noori Shah Ghazi Achi Kabar, Syed Ali Miran Datar, Baba Chuttan Shah, Ahmed Shah Bukhari, Jalal Shah, Muhammad Shah Bukhari and Yousuf Shah Bukhari which are located in various parts of the City including Clifton, Kharadar, M A Jinnah Road, Light House, Garden, Teen Hattie, Korangi, Lyari, Lee Market, Azizabad, Beem Pura, Bumbai Bazaar, Chanesar Goth and others. A number of devotees throng there to pay homage to the saints especially on Thursdays and Sundays and also on the occasions of ‘Urs’ and ‘Nau-Chandi Jum-e-Raat’.
Sources in the Auqaf Department said that they had already been informed by the intelligence and law enforcement agencies about the security lapses at the shrines and asked them for foolproof security to avoid any untoward incident.
However, taking security measures, the Karachi police claimed to have beefed up the security not only at the shrines but also at the mosques and Imambargahs.