Lahore police blasted for allowing terror attack despite prior intelligence

LAHORE - Pakistani intelligence agencies have blamed the Lahore police of gross negligence, claiming that it had failed to heed warnings that terrorists would try to target sensitive installations, shrines, imambargahs and other worship places in the city.

Intelligence officials said that the agencies had forwarded reports to the Lahore police that warned that terrorists want to create panic among the general public, and disturb law and order.

“The Lahore police it seems totally neglected the checking and surveillance of more than 50 small hotels and inns located near Karbala Gamay Shah. The terrorists also seem to have detailed information about the Lahore police’s security arrangements,” The Daily Times quoted sources, as saying.

Intelligence agencies had also warned that the National College of Arts (NCA) and railway stations in Lahore were at risk of potential terrorist attacks during the last 10 days of Ramazan.

According to the intelligence agency reports, the terrorists have also planned to abduct important religious and social personalities to deliver a fatal blow to national unity.

At least 37 people were killed, and 250 injured in Wednesday’s triple bombing on a religious procession in Lahore. (ANI)