LAHORE: A blast in Lahore's Old Anarkali market area killed one person and injured at least a dozen others on Thursday, DawnNews reported.

The Bomb Disposal Squad and security personnel also reached the site and cordoned off the area as a search operation went underway to clear out the vicinity.

DIG operations of Lahore police, Muhammad Tahir Rai, said that the bomb was equipped with a timer device and confirmed that at least one person had died and at least a dozen others were injured in the attack.

Another police official said that two suspicious persons were taken into custody by security personnel during a search operation conducted in the area.

Moreover, BDS sources said that one kilogram of explosives was used in the Improvised Explosive Device.

Rescue teams reached the blast site whereas the victims were shifted to Mayo hospital where the condition of two injured was reported as critical.

Shops and businesses were shut in the area as fear and panic gripped the area after the incident.

The blast also caused partial damage to nearby buildings.

Premier Nawaz Sharif condemned the blast in a statement issued by the Prime Minister's office.

No group or person claimed responsibility for the attack till the filing of this report.

Anarkali was also previously targeted in a bomb attack in July this year, during which five people were killed and 50 others were injured.

A Police official had told Dawn that a group, calling itself Baloch Liberation Tigers, led by Meeran Baloch, had claimed responsibility for July attack.

In related news, the BDS was also called in at the Lahore High Court premises after information was received pertaining to the presence of a bomb in the said area.

BDS personnel conducted a search operation of the Lahore High Court after which the premises was declared as clear.