Lahore blasts: 8 dead, 20 injured in Gulberg, defence area

The nature of the blast in Lahore could not be immediately verified

Two explosions killed eight people and injured twenty others on Thursday in Lahore's defence area and Gulberg. According to Pakistan media the nature of the blast could not be immediately verified, but sources have it that it was caused by a generator blast.

Few hours after the first blast a second explosion was heard in Lahore's Gulberg, according to ANI.

Rescue officials rushed to the spot to shift the injured to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. The area where the Lahore blast has been reported is a busy locality with several commercial offices and eateries.

Law enforcement personnel have cordoned off the market and a search operation is underway.

Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said that there was no reason to target the building as he was informed that the plaza was not inaugurated yet.

The two blasts come after a recent wave of terror attacks in Pakistan had claimed more than 100 lives.

Discrepancies emerged immediately after the incident on the source of blast. While Pakistan government called it a generator blast, others tweeted it as a bomb blast.

@GovtOfPunjab @defencepk I was there.... doesn't look like generator blast at all..I am safe as ws in a shoe shop!Don't hide truth 4m nation

— FarkhundaAkhtar (@FarkhundaKhan) February 23, 2017

Clarification on Lahore Y block blast: It's a generator blast and rescue team has reached the site. Please spread this.

— Govt Of The Punjab (@GovtOfPunjab) February 23, 2017