LAHORE: Jamaat-ur-Ahrar has claimed the responsibility of Lahore Mall Road blast, leaving 14 dead including DIG Traffic Lahore Capt Retd Ahmed Mubeen, on Monday.
Jamaat-ur-Ahrar, a faction of the Pakistani Taliban, called Reuters and claimed responsibility for the suicide attack.
The militant group also warned the Lahore attack was the start of a new campaign against government departments. "You are on our target across the country," it added in a statement.
An explosion near the Punjab provincial assembly in the Pakistani city of Lahore killed at least 14 people and wounded dozens on Monday.
The Rescue 1122 service in Lahore stated that 58 people were wounded when an explosion rocked a protest organised by Pakistan's chemist and pharmaceuticals manufacturers.
"Apparently it was a suicide blast but police are still investigating to know the exact nature of blast," said Punjab police spokesman Nayab Haider, who confirmed two high-ranking police officials were killed in the blast.
Jamaat-ur-Ahrar had also claimed responsibility for an Easter Day bombing in Lahore last year that killed more than 70 people in a public park.
The latest blast may jeopardize plans by Pakistan, a cricket-obsessed nation, to host the final of its domestic Twenty20 tournament on home soil in Lahore in March.
For years, Pakistan's international test cricket matches have been played abroad and the current Twenty20 tournament is being played in United Arab Emirates due to security fears.
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