Police: Bombing at market street in eastern Pakistan kills 4 people, wounds 47

LAHORE, Pakistan – A powerful bomb exploded at a busy market street in eastern Pakistan on Saturday, killing at least four people and wounding 47, officials said.

The bombing in the city of Lahore took place near the popular Anarkali bazar, which was crowded with hundreds of people at the time of the blast, said police officer Maroof Wahla.

The wounded were taken to nearby hospitals, where some of the victims were listed in critical condition, he said.

Provincial finance minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman told reporters that the bomb killed four and wounded 47.

“We condemn this attack, and we have asked health officials to provide free medical treatment to the victims,” he said.

Rehman said the bomb was planted outside a restaurant and it went off as people were sitting and eating. He said there were children among the dead and wounded. TV footage from the scene showed victims being taken in ambulances to hospitals.

Lahore is the capital of eastern Punjab province. It is also the home city of Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who was on a visit to neighbouring China on Saturday.

There was no claim of responsibility for the attack and police said they are still investigating.

Pakistan has had scores of bomb attacks in recent years, most of them blamed on militants. The Pakistani Taliban have urged the government to stop backing the United States in the war against terrorism.