4 soldiers and 2 civilians killed in suspected suicide attack in Lahore

Four soldiers and two civilians were killed in a suspected suicide bomb attack in Pakistan's eastern city of Lahore on Wednesday (5 April). Eighteen others were also reportedly injured in the blast, which took place at Manawala Chowk situated in the city's Bedian Road.

Initial reports claimed that the explosion was caused following a gas leak, but sources later told the Express Tribune that a suspected suicide bomber had detonated a device.

According to Reuters, the blast targeted an army vehicle, which was part of a census team, currently working across the country. An official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the census team could have been the target of the alleged attack.

Soon after the incident, rescue workers were rushed to the scene and those injured were sent to the General Hospital and Combined Military Hospital (CMH).

An investigation has been launched into the incident as army and police officials cordoned off the area to look for more suspected militants.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the attack and condoled with the victims' family members and paid tributes to the army personnel killed in the blast.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has ordered top officials to look into the incident and submit a report at the earliest.

The incident is the latest in a series of attacks that has crippled the Punjab province since the start of the year.

On 2 April, at least 20 people were murdered and four others were injured in an attack at a Sufi shrine near Sargodha city in the province. Later, three suspects, including the custodian of the Ali Mohammad Gujjar shrine identified as Abdul Waheed were arrested.

In an earlier incident, at least 13 people were killed and 85 injured in yet another suicide attack on Lahore's Mall Road.