LAHORE: A blast near the premises of Qaddafi Stadium on Friday—which took place during a one-day international match between Pakistan and Zimbabwe — was confirmed as a suicide attack by Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid, who said a sub-inspector lost his life while trying to stop the suicide bomber.
Talking to Geo News, Rashid said an attempt to attack the stadium was foiled by the gallantry of a police official, who lost his life while trying to stop the attacker near Kalma Chowk in Lahore. He added that six people were wounded in the incident.
The information minister praised the actions of Pakistan Broadcasters Association for "Covering up" the news while the cricket match was ongoing so as not to spread panic.
Local media had at first reported an explosion close to Gaddafi stadium but reports were taken off air after it was falsely asserted that the explosion was caused by an electricity transformer in the area.
Later, Punjab police’s IG Operations, while addressing a press briefing said two people — Sub-Inspector Abdul Majeed and a civilian Rizwan — were killed in the blast, DawnNews reported.
But the senior police official claimed that the blast happened inside a rickshaw and that forensic samples had been collected from the site to determine the nature of the explosion.
Comments (93) Closed
"Covering up news" means denying public of facts which essentially means lying to them. This bomb blast is guaranteed to continue till we roof out each and every corrupt politician.
For God Sake , leave us alone !!
Where were our intelligence services?
Welcome Rana Sanaullah!
Kudos to the Police Officer, super hero..... RIP. Lahore was thought to be a safe venue, now what?
Want to salute the brave policeman... May his soul rest in peace.
Was it really worth playing cricket in the country? What was the fault of sub-inspector? An innocent life would have been saved if cricket madness has been stopped in the country.
Another foreign funded terrorist team to kill innocents. But they failed.
it means terrorist want pakistan a failure state
Such a heading must be given after confirmation please.
Bravery of this sub-inspector is admirable...so sad he lost his life and a civilian...I hope his family gets well looked after along with the civilian's who died.
He was obviously not a cricket supporter. The religious terrorist ringleaders would like to sabotage any international games in Pakistan.
They want to harm the country anyway they can using the weak minded as human bombs.
A disunited Pakistan serves them best.
Welcome law minister rana sana!
There should be no leniency towards these terrorists/organizations. After 6 years the citizens of Pakistan have had something to rejoice about and to entertain themselves, all these extremists want is choaos. Maybe that is their idea of entertainment and happiness. A clear message needs to be sent to them that suck actions will not be tolerated.
Suppression of news and twisting is really bad. First, Kalima Chowk is not close to Qaddaffi stadium or close to its 'premises'. There is at least 3-4 miles of difference. How it was determined that it was meant for Qaddafi Stadium. It can be an independent and unconnected terrorist act. However, the bravery and duty consciousness of the slain police officers is commendable. No other detail is mentioned how they got killed.
These people killed are heroes. RIP. Pakistan Government should and probably will take care of their families not that you can ever replace these martyrs.
To the terrorists, your days in Pakistan are numbered. The Pakistani people and Army have you in their crosshairs. We will hunt you down. Run.
Great sacrifice by the police offical. He saved many lives by giving his own. inna lillahe wa inna elahe rajeoon. This stadium should be named after him instead of qadaffi.
Good job done by sub inspector, more such courageous and dedicated police personnels are required to save public from these terrorists.
I really really hope Zimbabwe does not cancel the rest of the game.
It is such a sad news. I wonder why is life so cheap here in Pakistan? It is extremely important that if state of Pakistan can not prevent terrorism than at least capture terrorists and conduct an open trial and punish them. Lastly, there can be two ways to wipe out terrorism. First, make people of Pakistan as secular as possible so that there is no religious motivation for wasting ones life in hope of 'all will be more than well in jannah. Second one - and this one is more practical - is that we can not do this injustice to religion of Islam because religion has nothing to do with terrorism. So, we should counter terrorism with religion the way they use religion to justify their heinous acts against humanity. Religious scholars should give bold statements against these attacks and media should portray their message. I think, terrorism can be countered through correct religious teachings and de-brain washing of people through media.
Just when cricket was about to return properly.
Who could benefit from that ? Domeone losing money orvregional attention by cricket in Pakistan ?
While some may dislike, the real beneficiary is india. They have destabalized the whole SAARC region to gain economic advantages.
Indian friends, thid is not a critism of people, its the foreign policy makers on both sides. May God bring its wrath on whoever is doing evil deed as humans are suffering.
It is really sad news. Hope it doesn't effect current cricket series.
The Pakistan Cricket Board immediately issued a statement, saying it was a "power transformer blast" that was caused by malfunctioning. however, its not yet confirmed whether it was a 'cracker, suicide, or transformer' blast so why are you people calling it Suicide Attack ? Being Pakistani Media you should be act responsibly not for the sake of your paper, but for the damn country. and by the way this minor blast took place near Kalma chowk so stop spreading fake new for the sake of money ..!!
This is exactly the type of situation everyone had feared and it was only a matter of time that it happened. How's it possible to convince other international sports teams to visit this country? In fact, how will the last ODI be played at the very same venue, is a big QUESTION MARK! The only explanation that comes out officially is that the incident had been held back from being put on air till the conclusion of the match. So, in other words, the measures were not FOOLPROOF as claimed by the authorities. What a waste of energy trying to woo the other teams to follow the example of Zimbabwe! Better arrangements need to be put in place for the next match if the authorities are trying convince the international sporting circles to consider Pakistan for future engagements.
RIP ...
Salute to the sub inspector for subverting a big tragedy. He deserves the highest honor.
Anything and everything after what actually and in its practical sense had happened is of no sense. Visiting team will in its own right reconsider extending its stay in Pakistan any further.
The Pakistani nation should honour and cherish heroes like this officer who sacrifice their lives to protect the fellow citizens. It is because of these courageous men that the nation still got a hope of a better future. The authorities should utilise the remains of the dead bomber to trace the cowards who sent him to carry out this vile act. It shows the army's recent good to cleanse the country of these deranged monsters is not finished yet.
My salute to the Police officer, Who give there life for pride of this nation.
Serious threats are still amerced by militants back Indian's led terrorists. All is those have gastritis and unable to digest this historical cricket event after a long gap of 6 years. Returning cricket is welcoming to the glory the Islamic republic of Pakistan as serving hospitality with freedom of Pakistani Nation especially Lahorei Public. All is concern to make stricken measurements for the safety of the public as well as cricketers
We want a reward sitare jurret for sub inspector and family support for him.
Sub Inspector Saab and Mr Rizwan the civilian - the Nation owes you big time ! And I hope the state steps up in taking care of your families.
You have no idea of the significance of your sacrifice
We lost two lives just to show the world that we can host cricket matches when the reality is quite opposite. I am all in for sports activities in Pakistan but not at the cost of people lives.
It is easy to find who is most worried if cricket is back in Pakistan. It has nothing to do with the religion. It's the same enemy who wants to destroy our cricket at the international level. It's the same enemy who tries its best not to allow Pakistani players in international T20 leagues ... it's the same who orchestrated attack on Sri Lankan Team
Sad, very sad news. Whatever good work was done to host the Zimbabwe cricket team after six years of international isolation has been undone in one fleeting moment. The 3rd and final ODI may hopefully go through on Sunday but this incident will certainly be a dampener if any other team, following the Zimbabwe example, had even a remote inclination to tour the country. This pushes us back another six years, I am afraid.
Kalma chowk is quite a bit away from Qaddafi stadium. The headline gives an impression that it happened outside the stadium.
The enemy is finished and these are some of the last attacks they are trying to do.We must resolve to finish them without any hesitation.Further good governance, equality ,merit,justice,local bodies and decentralisation must be implemented without delay.
How is this possible under tight security?
Grant award to the sub-inspector and large monetary sum to his family. Please do this to enhance the morale of police.
We salute to the bravery of our policemen, they confronted the attack and saved several lives while giving their owns.
itz is the Agencies who does not want cricket in Pakistan,its the cricket loving nation see the number of spectators in the ground
@We know....its very easy to blame my friend. but judiciary works on concrete evidence
@Merchant What did you want? Let the TV channels to spread Panic at the middle of Match & ask Zimbabwe to leave in next flight?
These things should not deter us, its clear our enemies want us isolated always and we know our enemies
Wake up agencies Wake up! We have already suffered a lot.
@We know - ---You know the theory of conspiracy perfectly.
Guys before we point fingers at neighbours lets reflect within. Who trained and nutured the Taliban? It was us... Our neighbour at least is a democratic country where the Army strictly reports to the elected Govt.. and not an institute within itself.
OMG! terrorists isn't just a threat to Muslim nations rather for the entire world..Why can't every country stay united in sweeping of this dirt? Too bad to see people dying everyday... #RIPbravemen #UnitedWeLead
@We know So, what u gonna do abt that.
who are these people who dont want international cricket in Pakistan? we know them so why reluctant to expose them to the world?
Army could not bring peace,Only way to bring peace is talk. Why they are giving their lives in suicide attacks,reason could be they are poor man and used.
@Oz India is losing money because of PAK matches?? How is that related man?
I am a Pakistani and do not believe that Indians are behind this. This logic is too simple and too obvious. The Government should explore deeper and let the people know with truth.
@Bob Yes. It was. We would not stop trying to live. Never
@Zak so all the terrorist attacks are backed by foreign hand. Oh please! don't run away from the reality Kindly check your security and intelligence skills. How they were unable to trace these conspiracy.
A Heartiest salute to the Sub-Inspector!!
@Merchant covering up means lying to public . Keeping public at high risk just to show world they can organise matches. world is not blind !
@Zak You can not blame foreign hand all the time. You should be capable to protect your people.
@Zak They didn't fail. They took a very valuable life of a police sub-inspector willing to die to protect us.
Y not to cover this incident for ever as state secret? What was d need of IGP press conf? Govt can coverup other imp issues like Zia accident, BB murder etc, y not this small incident for sake of country rapport?
To me, this indicates that the security, law and order need to be addressed first and all efforts should be directed towards it. Cricket and lot more will follow once peace prevails. How can we enjoy anything knowing that innocent people are dying?
Kalma Chowk is far away from the stadium
@Merchant Covering up was the right thing to do otherwise it would have caused panic and stampede at the stadium.
International cricket has just restarted in Pakistan after 2008 incident..... Let this incident does not cause a setback.
I've read a lot of comments as to why this happened ? Or others doing this to harm Pakistan The fact is we are a hotbed of extremism and our leaders have allowed extremism to flourish over the last 30 years - you reap what you sow
Salute u Sir for ur bravery,for ur sacrifice.
Salute u Sir for ur bravery,for ur sacrifice.
Salute u Sir for ur bravery,for ur sacrifice.
This seems to be desperate attack. I salute the Zimbabwe team for their bravery!
Good cover up well done Pakistan broadcasting company, otherwise stamped in Qadafi stadium. It really salute the brave police man.
These brain washed killers are available in abundance who are easy fodders at the hands of paid masters. Pakistan really need to look into deradicalising the society. How but only through education, justice,provision of social services. Military operations must go on fairly and squarely with sincerity at military and political leadership for uprooting terrorism at all cost. Just see how heavily these killers are paid by our enemies. We as society has to be watchful, stopping or kids, or relatives turning violent, radicalised.
Another innocent life lost. No body can bring peace to Pakistan.
Police officer is real hero.. who saved the lives....
To all the people saying security has failed, THE BOMBER DID NOT EVEN GET PAST THE FIRST LINE OF SECURITY! Do you expect the security to go and search every single person every single minute of the day to stop the terrorists doing any damage? The fact that the security stopped this person is testament to the excellent arrangements made by the security services. And as quite a few other people mentioned, Kalma Chowk is quite far from the stadium.
I Salute our brave security agencies!
Hats off to you through security team which he did not allow such an incident to happen with then there is three care security circle. Now read it as what ever you want but this has been a very successful tour for the PCB, there will always be groups who would want to send a message of extremism now read it as what ever you want but this has been a very successful tour for the PCB, there will always be groups who would want to send a message of extremism
Pakistan is a peace loving country and people are true Muslims.
Probably it was near Kalma Chowk ...NO...???
Pakistan..Pakistan..Pakistan..this must be done by the frustrated of return of cricket to Pakistan...Long Live Pakistan.
the information Minister's version and the police version of the incident differs a lot.
What happened to the suicide bomber ?
Why the information could not wait till the tour of Zimbabwe was over. The information Minister's version and the police version of the incident differs a lot. Strange.
@Oz God is indeed bringing wrath on the country that nurses terrorists under names like "strategic assets", "non-state actors", etc. That's why Pakistan is suffering. Clinton's analogy of harboring snakes is spot on. India and Indians have no interest in destabilizing Pakistan because destabilized Pakistan means problems for us too. So stop blaming India. Pakistan is reaping what it sowed.
it is really difficult to comprehend what the motives for such attack.
Blaming is the best thing people do in such a situations. Please dont do that. We have Intelligence Agencies to improve the security of their citizens. If that work is not done, it is them who should be blamed. Instead of extending support to the other countries in their war why cant it improve the situation of its people. It is the people who are responsible to bring a responsible candidate into power.
@Rob you should watch the Indian defence ministers statements about how they are trying weaken Pakistan from within, he admits that and explains impact. It's all to do with driving foreign investors out of here. Pretty much similar to American politics.
Also really appreciate the work of the police officer. The Govt should not forget his family so that it can be an example to others also.
Please give us latest situion about the matter of subordinate judiciary in punjab.The employees of dj punjab who waiting when thier increase special judicial allowance.
@Merchant Public does not need to know----they don't have the right to everything.
The welfare of the state supercedes the nature of information released.
A hero police officer. Thank you. Great job by the media for clamping on the news.
@mike USA Our police officers gave their life to protect cricket and to make sure the safety of both teams playing instead if criticising have sympathy for the deseased family.shame on you
@Zak indeed.
Jet lee@ Why stadium was targeted? what was the motive of this attack? who are the terrorists? Indeed foreign hand is involved.
The sub-inspector was a brave lady, we salute her, RIP