Thaindian News

LAHORE, PAKISTAN (BNO NEWS) – Gunmen attacked worshipers from a minority sect in Model Town and Garhi Shahu in Lahore, Pakistan on Friday, leaving 73 dead and 78 injured, Ary News Television reported.

The attacks took place moments after Friday prayers as gunmen entered two worship places of Ahmadis in the residential neighborhoods. Witnesses declared that the men opened fire as soon as they entered the place and threw what appeared to be grenades.

In Garhi Shahu, five attackers held hostages as they noticed that police forces had surrounded the mosque. When law enforcement tried to enter the place, three men, who were wearing vests packed with explosives, blew themselves up causing the death of 45 people. Two other gunmen are still at large.

The death toll in Model Town was lower due to the fact that the attackers did not use their suicide vests. Two young attackers entered the worship place firing shots when the prayer leader was giving a sermon. Police in Model Town were able to kill one and arrest another.

Punjab’s Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said that the arrested attacker was a teenage Pashtun with links to the tribal area of Waziristan which strongly hinted at a Taliban connection, according to Geo Television.

A local television van was also attacked while a young, clean-shaven attacker was fleeing the scene and fired bullets without harming anyone inside.

Both areas affected by the twin attacks are now secure and safe. Police forces are still looking for the remaining attackers in order to clarify the events. So far no terrorist organization has claimed responsibility for the attacks.