Lahore, November 3
An improvised explosive device (IED) was found from the parking area of the Wagah border on Monday, a day after 61 persons were killed in a bomb blast following the flag-lowering ceremony at the India-Pakistan land border crossing.

The bomb disposal squad was called to the site for inspection. The BDS launched search operations surrounding the Wagah border and arrested 21 suspects, including a suicide bomber.

Bomber’s vest recovered Explosives and a suicide vest, stuffed with 8 kg of explosives and ball bearings, recovered from the Wagah border area Suspected suicide bomber arrested from Multan district Nationwide alert sounded in Pakistan

A Punjab Rangers official said explosives and a suicide vest, stuffed with 8 kg of explosives and ball bearings, were recovered from the Wagah border area. “The explosives have been defused by the bomb disposal squad. The suicide bomber used at least 15 to 20 kg of explosives in the blast,” said the official. A nationwide alert has been sounded in Pakistan. The security agencies also arrested a suspected suicide bomber from Multan district, some 350 km from Lahore. The Lahore police yesterday issued a sketch of 17-year-old Abdul Rehman, who had gone missing from a seminary in the old city of Lahore about a month ago.

Ten women, eight children and three security personnel were among the 61 persons killed in the attack that took place on Sunday when a suicide attacker detonated a powerful bomb at Wagah. More then 100 people were injured.

The blast took place when a large number of people were returning after attending the flag-lowering ceremony at the India-Pak land border crossing.

A young suicide bomber blew himself up near the main exit gate of Parade Avenue at 6.03 pm (local time), causing colossal devastation.

"The death toll of the devastating suicide attack at Wagah border has risen to 61. The condition of some injured is still critical,” Punjab Emergency Services Rescue spokesman Jam Sajjad said. Forty-three bodies have been handed over to the families while the remaining are yet to be recognised, Sajjad said.

“A joint investigation team of the police, rangers and intelligence agencies have started investigations. The army and rangers along with the police will provide security to Ashura processions in Lahore and they have been put on high alert,” Sajjad said.

Punjab Interior Minister Col Shujah Khanzada (retd) said the target of the suicide bomber was the venue of the flag-hoisting ceremony. "The suicide bomber wanted to reach the Parade Avenue to cause maximum devastation, but he blew himself up near the entrance of the main gate after failing to reach there," he said. — PTI