Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan claims responsibility for Lahore attacks

ISLAMABAD - The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for carrying out Wednesday’s triple bombing on a religious procession in Lahore, which killed at least 37 people, and left 250 injured.

TTP spokesman Qari Hussain said that they carried out the attack to avenge the assassination of its leader Ali Sher Hyderi.

“We have avenged the death of leaders and Ulema who have been killed at the behest of infidels,” Xinhua news agency quoted Hussain, as saying.

“This was a revenge, and we will also avenge the murder of other Ulema and party activists soon,” he added.

Referring to US’ decision to add TTP to its international terrorism blacklist, targeting the group and its leaders with financial and travel sanctions, Hussain said that the Jews and Christians are enemies of Muslims and “Jihad will continue against them”.

The TTP has links with Al Qaeda, and operates out of the tribal areas of Pakistan, where Osama bin Laden is believed to be hiding. (ANI)