2016 Lahore suicide bombing

Anti-Christian terrorist attack by the Taliban in Lahore, Pakistan April 2016 2016 Lahore suicide bombing File:Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park, Lahore.jpg A photograph of Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park. The bomb was detonated by the park's main gateway (not pictured). Pakistan Lahore#Pakistan Punjab#Pakistan infobox 31.51625 74.29032 Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park center Pakistani Christians Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan 31.51625 N 74.29032 E inline,title 27 March 2016 18:30 UTC+05:00 Suicide bombingGowen Annie Hussain Shaiq Death toll in Pakistan bombing climbs past 70 https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/death-toll-in-pakistan-easter-suicide-attack-rises-to-72-authorities-vow-to-hunt-down-perpetrators/2016/03/28/037a2e18-f46a-11e5-958d-d038dac6e718_story.html 30 March 2016 The Washington Post 28 March 2016 75 (including 29 children)http://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/329766-Death-toll-in-Gulshan-Iqbal-Park-tragedy-rises-to- Death toll in Gulshan Iqbal Park tragedy rises to 74 Dunya News 29 March 2016 31 March 2016http://tribune.com.pk/story/1074654/lahore-attack-anguished-families-bury-their-dead/ Lahore attack: Anguished Families Bury their Dead 29 March 2016 The Express Tribune 29 March 2016 340 Visitors of the park on the Easter weekend Jamaat-ul-Ahrar Explosive belt On 27 March 2016, on Easter Sunday, at least 75 people were killed (29 fatalities being children), and over 340 were injured, in a suicide bombing that hit the main entrance of Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park, one of the largest parks in Lahore, Pakistan.http://tribune.com.pk/story/1073825/blast-in-lahore-leaves-several-injured/ Suicide blast kills at least 72 in Lahore park 27 March 2016 The Express Tribunehttp://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/108378-Blast-at-Lahore-park-leaves-over-30-injured 72 killed, over 300 injured in Lahore suicide blast The News 27 March 2016 27 March 2016http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/27/asia/pakistan-lahore-deadly-blast/ Pakistan bombing: Taliban targets Christians, kills 69 Sophia Saifi 27 March 2016 CNN.com The attack targeted Christians who were celebrating Easter.https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/lahore-bombing-suicide-attack-kills-72-park-easter-sunday-n546231 Lahore Bombing: Suicide Attack Kills 72 in Park on Easter Sunday NBC News SHAAN KHAN and MUSHTAQ YUSUFZAI 28 March 2016 6 October 2017(27 March 2016). Pakistan explosion leaves many dead at or in Lahore park. BBC. Retrieved: 30 March 2016.https://edition.cnn.com/2016/03/27/asia/pakistan-lahore-deadly-blast/index.html In Pakistan, Taliban's Easter bombing targets, kills scores of Christians CNN Sophia Saifi 28 March 2017 6 October 2017http://tribune.com.pk/story/1074654/lahore-attack-anguished-families-bury-their-dead/ Lahore attack: Anguished Families Bury their Dead 29 March 2016 The Express Tribune 29 March 2016 The majority of the victims were women and children. Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a group affiliated with the Pakistani Taliban, claimed responsibility for the attack. The attack led to worldwide condemnation and national mourning throughout Pakistan. Pakistan also launched a widespread counter-terrorism operation in South Punjab, arresting more than 200 people who may have had a possible connection to the attack.https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-35916578 Lahore attack: Pakistan 'detains 200' after Easter blast BBC News 29 March 2016 en-GB 30 March 2016 Background The Pakistani Taliban operates as an umbrella organization for various Islamist militant groups in Pakistan. These extremist groups have frequently attacked Christians, who make up 2% of Pakistan's population.http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/27/asia/pakistan-lahore-deadly-blast/index.html In Pakistan, Taliban's Easter bombing targets Christians; 67 people killed CNN Shah Zahir Mullen Jethro Raja Adeel 28 March 2016http://www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-pakistan-blast-20160327-story.html Taliban says it targeted Christians in a park on Easter Sunday, killing 65 Los Angeles Times 27 March 2016 Los Angeles Times Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, the perpetrator of the current attack, and once a breakaway organization that reunited in March 2015,http://www.afp.com/en/node/2799017/ Pakistan Taliban faction announce split, new leader 4 September 2014 Agence France-Presse 11 November 2014 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20141111065156/http://www.afp.com/en/node/2799017/ 11 November 2014 https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-militants-alliance-idUSKBN0M81WF20150312 Pakistani splinter group rejoins Taliban amid fears of isolation 12 March 2015 Reuters 13 March 2015 have declared their intention to carry out more attacks in the future. Bombing Bomb explosion in Lahore kills more than 65 on Easter The bombing took place at 18:30; a Rescue 1122 spokesman stated that they received an emergency call around 18:44, and 23 ambulances were sent to the location.At least 60 dead, over 250 injured in Gulshan-e-Iqbal blast in Lahore http://nation.com.pk/national/27-Mar-2016/at-least-15-injured-in-gulshan-iqbal-blast-in-lahore The Nation 27 March 2016 27 March 2016 The perpetrator used an explosives-packed vest. More than 40 bodies arrived at Jinnah Hospital.30 killed in Lahore's Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park bombing http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2016/03/28/national/six-killed-over-30-wounded-in-lahores-gulshan-iqbal-park-blast/ Pakistan Today 27 March 2016 A shortage of ambulances forced taxis and rickshaws to transport the injured. Responsibility was claimed by the Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a group affiliated with the Pakistani Taliban, that had previously been responsible for bombings at two Lahore churches on 15 March 2015.At least 65 dead after suicide attack in Lahore park https://www.dawn.com/news/1248259 Dawn 27 March 2016 27 March 2016Deadly blasts hit Pakistan churches in Lahore https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-31894708 BBC News 15 March 2015 27 March 2016 A statement by Jamaat-ul-Ahrar spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan said the attack was directed at Christians.http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/03/deadly-blast-hits-pakistan-lahore-160327143110195.html Scores killed in Lahore suicide attack 27 March 2016 Al Jazeera 27 March 2016 Witnesses reported that the blast occurred at the entrance of the park. There were Christians in the park due to Easter, although there was no Easter celebration or ceremony in the park. The front entrances were crowded with people, including children. Witnesses reported that "children body parts" were flying in every direction. Due to the blast force, several bodies were flung into the air. The blast could be heard many kilometers away. Local residents reported that the noise was deafening. Shortly afterward, panic ensued, as people began screaming and running. A witness said: Saifi, Sophia In Pakistan, Taliban's Easter bombing targets, kills scores of Christians 27 March 2016 https://edition.cnn.com/2016/03/27/asia/pakistan-lahore-deadly-blast/ CNN 28 March 2016 "It was so crowded that there was even no way of entering it. We went to a canteen to have something to eat when there was suddenly a big blast. Everyone panicked, running to all directions. Many of them were blocked at the gate of the park. Dead bodies can be found everywhere". Aftermath After the attack, citizens rushed to hospitals in response to urgent requests for blood donations. On-demand cab service, Careem, offered free rides to the hospital for blood donors, while activists also used social media to coordinate relief efforts, including donating blood, food, and cash.Blood Donors Crowd Lahore Hospitals Following Devastating Park Bombing on Easter Sunday 27 March 2016 https://globalvoices.org/2016/03/27/blood-donors-crowd-lahore-hospitals-following-devastating-park-bombing-on-easter-sunday/ Global Voices 28 March 2016 Half of the more than 300 victims were taken to Jinnah Hospital in Lahore on Sunday night. 67 remained in the hospital with various injuries, such as burns and shrapnel wounds, doctors said.https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/death-toll-in-pakistan-easter-suicide-attack-rises-to-72-authorities-vow-to-hunt-down-perpetrators/2016/03/28/037a2e18-f46a-11e5-958d-d038dac6e718_story.html Death toll in Pakistan bombing climbs past 70 Gowen Annie 28 March 2016 Hussain Shaiq The Washington Post en-US 0190-8286 29 March 2016 Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif held a meeting in response to the bombing. Pakistan's army chief, General Raheel Sharif, also convened an emergency meeting of the country's intelligence agencies to begin to track down those responsible for the attacks. On 28 March, Prime Minister Sharif directed law enforcement agencies to step up counter-terror operations against terrorists and their abettors in southern Punjab. The prime minister issued these orders to the LEAs while chairing a high-level meeting at the Chief Minister House in Lahore, to review the attack and overall strategy against terrorists. He later said his government goal was to "eliminate terror infrastructure from Pakistan, but also the extremist mindset, which is a threat to our way of life". Suicide blast kills at least 72 in Lahore park 27 March 2016 http://tribune.com.pk/story/1073825/blast-in-lahore-leaves-several-injured/ The chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, Imran Khan, visited the victims of the blast in Jinnah Hospital. He later told the media that the current government needs to implement a National Action Plan and develop a consensus to go after terrorists in whichever province they are seeking refuge. He added that Pakistan's Government had failed to provide security to Pakistani people and that it must revisit its priorities. He later condemned the attack by saying: "It is strictly against the teachings of our Holy Prophet (Muhammad), and the basic principles of Islam." On 28 March, in Punjab, several suspected terrorists were arrested, along with firearms with full ammo recovered in different parts of Lahore, Faisalabad, and Multan. Since the night of 27 March, the army had conducted a military operation for capturing the terrorists involved. Al Jazeera noted that the bombing "underscored" both the "precarious position" of Pakistan's minorities, and the fact that the fighters from armed groups "are still capable of staging wide-scale assaults despite the months-long military offensive targeting their hideouts and safe havens in remote tribal areas".Lahore bombing: Pakistan mourns as death toll rises http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/03/lahore-bombing-pakistan-mourns-death-toll-rises-160328091627212.html 28 March 2016 Al Jazeera 28 March 2016 On 29 March, Pakistani authorities conducted a counter-terror operation, with more than 5,000 questioned, and more than 200 suspects detained.https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-35916578 Lahore attack: Pakistan 'detains 200' after Easter blast BBC News 29 March 2016 Anonymous government and security sources told Reuters that a decision has been made to launch a full-scale crackdown on Islamist militants in Punjab, which may involve the paramilitary Rangers, who have been operating in Karachi for the last two years.https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-blast-idUSKCN0WT0HR Pakistan plans new paramilitary crackdown; Easter bombing kills 70 28 March 2016 Reuters 30 March 2016 Reactions President of Pakistan, Mamnoon Hussain; Governor of Punjab, Malik Muhammad Rafique Rajwana; and Chief Minister of Punjab,http://m.detik.com/news/internasional/3173874/jokowi-indonesia-mengutuk-keras-serangan-bom-di-lahore-pakistan Jokowi: Indonesia Mengutuk Keras Serangan Bom di Lahore Pakistan M.detik.com 28 March 2016 March 2023 InternetArchiveBot yes Mian Shahbaz Sharif, condemned the attack and announced three days of mourning.Pakistan explosion leaves many dead at Lahore park BBC News 27 March 2016 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-35908512 27 March 2016 Business leaders announced that all shopping malls, bazaars, and markets in Lahore would be closed on 28 March, the day following the bombing.http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/national/27-Mar-2016/lahore-blast-govt-announces-three-day-mourning-in-punjab Lahore blast: Govt announces three-day mourning in Punjab 27 March 2016 Daily Times 28 March 2016 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20160405011527/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/national/27-Mar-2016/lahore-blast-govt-announces-three-day-mourning-in-punjab 5 April 2016 dmy Several news agencies in Pakistan, such as the Express Tribune, changed their websites to display everything only in greyscale.http://m.cnnindonesia.com/internasional/20160328111404-113-119981/pemimpin-dunia-mengutuk-bom-bunuh-diri-di-pakistan/ Pemimpin Dunia Mengutuk Bom Bunuh Diri di Pakistan Hanna Azarya Samosir CNN Indonesia The Pakistan Army said it would begin military operations across Punjab in response to the bombings; targeting militants, their facilitators, and their hideouts.https://www.dawn.com/news/1248435/military-gives-go-ahead-for-punjab-operation-after-lahore-carnage Military gives go-ahead for Punjab operation after Lahore carnage 28 March 2016 United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the attack and called for Islamabad to protect religious minorities.http://www.mb.com.ph/pakistan-suicide-blast-targeted-christians-taliban/ Pakistan suicide blast targeted Christians: Taliban Manila Bulletin Manila Bulletin The bombing was condemned, and condolences were offered by the leaders and spokespeople of many countries,Iyengar, Rishin Outpouring of Sadness and Solidarity for Pakistan as World Reacts to Lahore Blast https://time.com/4273272/lahore-blast-pakistan-solidarity-world-leaders/ Time 28 March 2016 as well as by church leaders. The victims and their relatives expressed concern about the lack of security and protection.http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/03/lahore-bombing-pakistan-mourns-death-toll-rises-160328091627212.html Lahore bombing: Pakistan mourns as death toll rises www.aljazeera.com 2016-04-26https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/death-toll-in-pakistan-easter-suicide-attack-rises-to-72-authorities-vow-to-hunt-down-perpetrators/2016/03/28/037a2e18-f46a-11e5-958d-d038dac6e718_story.html Death toll in Pakistan bombing climbs past 70 Washington Post 2016-04-26 The British Pakistan Christian Association, chaired by Wilson Chowdhry, condemned the 2016 Lahore suicide bombing, and appealed to the Government of India to "open its doors and provide safe heaven [sic] to Christians of Pakistan before they themselves start migrating in distress towards India for safety".Rana Yudhvir Open door for Christians of Pakistan before it turns into a refugee crisis https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/amritsar/Open-door-for-Christians-of-Pakistan-before-it-turns-into-a-refugee-crisis-BPCA/articleshow/51586825.cms The Times of India March 28, 2016 See also 2017 Lahore suicide bombing List of terrorist incidents, January–June 2016 Terrorist incidents in Pakistan in 2016 List of Islamist terrorist attacks Peshawar church attack Lahore church bombings Christianity in Pakistan Persecution of Christians in the Muslim world Terrorist incidents in Lahore since 2000 References Category:Suicide bombings in 2016 Category:21st-century mass murders in Pakistan Lahore suicide bombing Category:Suicide bombings in Lahore Category:Mass murders in Lahore Category:2010s in Lahore Lahore suicide bombing Category:Jamaat-ul-Ahrar attacks Category:Persecution of Christians in Pakistan Category:Islamic terrorist incidents in 2016 Category:March 2016 crimes in Asia Category:March 2016 in Pakistan Category:2016 in Christianity Category:2016 murders in Pakistan Category:Child murder in Pakistan