Punjab: Three top police officers were among 16 people killed today when a suicide bomber blew himself up targeting them during a protest rally outside Pakistan’s Punjab assembly in Lahore that also left 69 others injured. Lahore Traffic Police chief, Senior Superintendent Police and DSP were killed in the blast.

At least 16 people were killed in the powerful blast that ripped through the protest rally, police officials said.

Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique said more than 60 people suffered injuries. The condition of some 11 injured is stated to be critical.

A police officer in Lahore told PTI that apparently it was a suicide attack and the bomber targeted the police personnel present there.

The blast occurred minutes after Police officials arrived at the scene to negotiate with the chemists and pharmaceutical manufacturers who had been protesting outside the assembly. A TV footage shows that a motorcyclist dragging his bike close to police officers and blew himself up.

The chemists were protesting against the controversial
drug regulations the government has recently imposed.

The Jamat-ul-Ahrar faction of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan has claimed responsibility for the attack.