Double blasts kill at least 16 in Pakistan's Lahore
Tuesday, 11 Mar 2008 08:49
Two bombs struck Lahore this morning
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Two bomb explosions have killed at least 16 people in the
Pakistani city of Lahore today, police have said.
The first bomb was detonated outside offices of the country's Federal Investigation Agency as employees began their working day.
A second blast then occurred in a residential area of Lahore, killing two children.
The bomb was detonated by two suicide bombers as they drove into a house rented by an advertising agency in Model Town.
"The suicide attackers drove into the house and blew themselves up before anybody could stop them," police officer Azmat Gondal told the Times of India.
"We do not know as yet why this house was targeted."
Pakistan's president Pervez Musharraf condemned the attacks, adding that "acts of terrorism cannot deter government's resolve to fight the scourge with full force".
Shortly after the blasts the Australian cricket team decided to postpone its tour scheduled for March and April over safety concerns.
Commenting on the decision, Cricket Australia chairman Creagh O'Connor said: "We are very sorry that the tour could not take place at this time.
"This was a difficult decision based on independent review of the circumstances prevailing in Pakistan at the moment.
"We wish no loss to [the] Pakistan Cricket Board [PCB] and look forward to undertaking this tour in the near future."
PCB chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf said: "We are obviously very disappointed at this decision.
"I guess there is not much we could do and sincerely hope that the tour of Australia to Pakistan can materialise at the earliest opportunity."