Lahore/Karachi, Sept 1: At least 17 people were killed and over 150 injured today when three suicide bombers blew themselves up in back-to-back attacks targetting processions in Lahore, even as unidentified gunmen wounded seven people in Pakistan's commercial capital Karachi.
The first blast, caused by a low intensity explosive device, went off near the Karbala Gamay Shah Imambargah or prayer ground after 6.45 pm.
The suicide bombers struck in the nearby Bhatti Chowk area at about 7.15 pm.
Both sites are located close to the Data Darbar shrine that was recently targeted by suicide attackers.
Geo News channel reported that the banned Lashkar-e-Jhangvi al-Almi had claimed responsibility for the blasts.
Officials at the Mayo, Services and Gangaram hospitals told media they had received 17 bodies, including one minor girl and a policeman.
Over 150 injured people were taken to the three hospitals. The Mayo Hospital alone received over 100 injured people.
At least 35 of the injured, including six policemen, were in a critical condition, officials of the state-run Rescue 1122 service said. Officials said they feared the death toll could rise further.
Provincial Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said suicide bombers were responsible for two of the blasts. Witnesses too said they had seen the bodies of the suicide attackers.
In Karachi, at least seven people were injured when gunmen opened fire on a procession taken out in a crowded market place. Police and the para-military rangers had surrounded the building from where some of the gunmen opened and a police official said three persons had been arrested.
The firing started when the procession was passing through Empress market in Saddar, one of the oldest markets of Karachi.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 1 Sep 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 1 Sep 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 2 Sep 2010 00:00:00 IST