Pakistan's oldest and one of the most popular Sufi shrine, Data Darbar was struck by a suicide blast recently in which at least 10 people were killed and 24 were injured.

The blast occurred near the entrance gate for female visitors to the 11th-century Data Darbar shrine, one of the largest Sufi shrines in South Asia, as the country marked the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

The responsibility of the blast was claimed by Pakistani Taliban group in an email.&nbsp;

Though, the investigation into the attack is underway but Ashfaq Khan, deputy inspector general of police operations in Lahore in the initial probe had said that police was the prime target.

However, reports have suggested that the blast was likely a direct reaction to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/global-terrorist-tag-on-masood-azhar-is-a-major-triumph-for-indian-strategic-thinking-and-political-sagacity-219331">Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar</a>'s listing as a 'global terrorist' by the United Nations Security Council which had happened a week prior to the blast.

According to a report, Abu Wali Khursanai, the founder of Hizbul Ahrar, a faction of Pakistan Taliban who claimed responsibility for the attack, and Masood Azhar have been together in Harkat ul-Mujahideen, a Pakistan based terrorist group, in Afghanistan. Hizbul Ahrar group was formed in Nangarhar province of Afghanistan in 2011.&nbsp;

Sources also say that Hizbul Ahrar does not have the capacity or infrastructure to carry out an attack in the province of Punjab.

Jaish-e-Mohammed group was formed from the group Harkat ul-Mujahideen.

According to the sources, Pakistan is currently in the process of disbanding and arresting any other terror-linked elements, those particularly connected with terror icons such as Masood Azhar and others.

Once they will be completely disbanded and neutralised, only then a move to arrest or detain Azhar would be made so that the chances of a public backlash or a direct public impact would be lesser, the sources added.

Masood Azhar, head of the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), was designated a ‘global terrorist’ by the UN Security Council 1267 Sanction Committee on May 1, 2019. 
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Pakistan's oldest and one of the most popular Sufi shrine, Data Darbar was struck by a suicide blast recently in which at least 10 people were killed and 24 were injured.

Pakistan's oldest and one of the most popular Sufi shrine, Data Darbar was struck by a suicide blast recently in which at least 10 people were killed and 24 were injured. The blast occurred near the entrance gate for female visitors to the 11th-century Data Darbar shrine, one of the largest Sufi shrines in South Asia, as the country marked the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The responsibility of the blast was claimed by Pakistani Taliban group in an email. Though, the investigation into the attack is underway but Ashfaq Khan, deputy inspector general of police operations in Lahore in the initial probe had said that police was the prime target. However, reports have suggested that the blast was likely a direct reaction to the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar's listing as a 'global terrorist' by the United Nations Security Council which had happened a week prior to the blast. According to a report, Abu Wali Khursanai, the founder of Hizbul Ahrar, a faction of Pakistan Taliban who claimed responsibility for the attack, and Masood Azhar have been together in Harkat ul-Mujahideen, a Pakistan based terrorist group, in Afghanistan. Hizbul Ahrar group was formed in Nangarhar province of Afghanistan in 2011. Sources also say that Hizbul Ahrar does not have the capacity or infrastructure to carry out an attack in the province of Punjab. Jaish-e-Mohammed group was formed from the group Harkat ul-Mujahideen. According to the sources, Pakistan is currently in the process of disbanding and arresting any other terror-linked elements, those particularly connected with terror icons such as Masood Azhar and others. Once they will be completely disbanded and neutralised, only then a move to arrest or detain Azhar would be made so that the chances of a public backlash or a direct public impact would be lesser, the sources added. Masood Azhar, head of the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), was designated a ‘global terrorist’ by the UN Security Council 1267 Sanction Committee on May 1, 2019.

Data Darbar blast likely reaction to Masood Azhar's UN listing: Sources

A blast occurred near Punjab police’ elite force near Data Darbar in Lahore, Pakistan on Wednesday morning.

An elite force vehicle was the target, reports said.&nbsp;Sources have told&nbsp;WION that all indicators point towards a suicide explosion.

The death toll rose to nine&nbsp;with ten critically injured. At least&nbsp;19 people were injured in the blast.&nbsp;&nbsp;The injured included several police officers, Punjab police said.

The blast took place right outside Data Darbar on the main road.&nbsp;One of South Asia's largest Sufi shrine is also located at Data Darbar.

"It was an attack on police that left several dead and dozens of policemen and civilians injured. The target was police," said Syed Mubashir Hussain, a spokesman for the&nbsp;Lahore&nbsp;police.&nbsp;

A local police official told AFP the blast may have been "a suicide attack targeting security officials' vehicle". &nbsp;

"We are trying to get more details from the site," he added. 
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A blast occurred near Punjab police’ elite force near Data Darbar in Lahore, Pakistan on Wednesday morning. An elite force vehicle was the target, reports said. Sources have told WION that all indicators point towards a suicide explosion.

A blast occurred near Punjab police’ elite force near Data Darbar in Lahore, Pakistan on Wednesday morning. An elite force vehicle was the target, reports said. Sources have told WION that all indicators point towards a suicide explosion. The death toll rose to nine with ten critically injured. At least 19 people were injured in the blast. The injured included several police officers, Punjab police said. The blast took place right outside Data Darbar on the main road. One of South Asia's largest Sufi shrine is also located at Data Darbar. "It was an attack on police that left several dead and dozens of policemen and civilians injured. The target was police," said Syed Mubashir Hussain, a spokesman for the Lahore police. A local police official told AFP the blast may have been "a suicide attack targeting security officials' vehicle". "We are trying to get more details from the site," he added.

Pakistan: Blast near elite police vehicle in Lahore; at least nine killed

Suicide Bomb Blast Kills 9 People In Lahore. Blast Takes Place Outside Data Darbar, The Largest Sufi Shrine In South Asia.

Gravitas: Lahore Suicide Bomb Blast; 9 Killed, 25 Injured

A Pakistan Taliban faction claimed responsibility for the attack on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-blast-near-elite-police-vehicle-in-lahore-2-dead-19-injured-216892">Pakistan's elite police force</a> in Lahore which took place near a Sufi shrine at Data Darbar on Wednesday.

"This attack was carried out at a time when there were no civilians near the police," said Abdul Aziz Yousafzai, spokesman for the Hizbul Ahrar terrorist&nbsp;group, a faction of the Pakistani Taliban.

At least nine people were killed in the blast with several critically injured. Authorities said up to 24 people were wounded in the attack.

"Police was the prime target in this attack. We are collecting forensic evidence to ascertain the nature of the blast. This attack has left nine dead and 24 injured," said Ashfaq Khan, deputy inspector general of police operations in Lahore.

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The area hosts the largest Sufi shrine in South Asia which had come under attack in 2010 leading to the death of&nbsp;40 people. Police have said they were&nbsp;still investigating the nature of the blast. However, sources have told WION that all indicators point towards a suicide explosion.

Three police officials, a security guard and a civilian were killed were among those killed in the attack, police said.

The blast may have been "a suicide attack" on a security vehicle, police official Muhammad Kashif was quoted as saying to AFP.

The Data Darbar complex contains the shrine of Saint Syed Ali bin Osman Al-Hajvery, popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh.&nbsp; 
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A Pakistan Taliban faction claimed responsibility for the attack on Pakistan's elite police force in Lahore which took place near a Sufi shrine at Data Darbar on Wednesday.

A Pakistan Taliban faction claimed responsibility for the attack on Pakistan's elite police force in Lahore which took place near a Sufi shrine at Data Darbar on Wednesday. "This attack was carried out at a time when there were no civilians near the police," said Abdul Aziz Yousafzai, spokesman for the Hizbul Ahrar terrorist group, a faction of the Pakistani Taliban. At least nine people were killed in the blast with several critically injured. Authorities said up to 24 people were wounded in the attack. "Police was the prime target in this attack. We are collecting forensic evidence to ascertain the nature of the blast. This attack has left nine dead and 24 injured," said Ashfaq Khan, deputy inspector general of police operations in Lahore. The area hosts the largest Sufi shrine in South Asia which had come under attack in 2010 leading to the death of 40 people. Police have said they were still investigating the nature of the blast. However, sources have told WION that all indicators point towards a suicide explosion. Three police officials, a security guard and a civilian were killed were among those killed in the attack, police said. The blast may have been "a suicide attack" on a security vehicle, police official Muhammad Kashif was quoted as saying to AFP. The Data Darbar complex contains the shrine of Saint Syed Ali bin Osman Al-Hajvery, popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh.

Pakistan Taliban faction claims responsibility for blast in Lahore

We get you the latest from Pakistan, where five people have dies and 10 others are in critical condition after blast near major Sufi shrine in Lahore. Watch full video to know more.

Pakistan: 5 dead after blast near major Sufi shrine in Lahore

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Data Darbar blast likely reaction to Masood Azhar's UN listing: Sources

Pakistan: Blast near elite police vehicle in Lahore; at least nine killed

Gravitas: Lahore Suicide Bomb Blast; 9 Killed, 25 Injured

Pakistan Taliban faction claims responsibility for blast in Lahore

Pakistan: 5 dead after blast near major Sufi shrine in Lahore