4 killed, 47 injured in Lahore bombing

A bombing in a busy food market in the Pakistani city of Lahore has killed four people and injured 47.

The incident occurred late on Saturday on Food Street in the Anarkali bazaar area of downtown Lahore.

Punjab Province Finance Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman confirmed the casualty count and said the bomb was planted outside a restaurant.

The bomb detonated as people were eating inside the restaurant, he told reporters, adding that children were among the dead and injured.

Security sources said they believe one kilogram of explosives along with ball bearings and other objects were used in the device, which was packed in a black shopping bag and detonated with a timer.

No group or individual has claimed responsibility for the attack, and the police say they are still investigating the incident.

Lahore, the capital of Punjab province, has enjoyed relative calm in recent months, compared with Pakistan’s other major cities, which have experienced many bombings and other terrorist attacks.

Since late 2009, there has been a surge in militant attacks in Pakistan.

Over 36,000 Pakistanis have lost their lives in bombings and other militant attacks since 2007.

MRS/HGL