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Central & South Asia
Deadly attacks hit Pakistani city
More than 45 people killed in series of attacks on security personnel in Lahore.
Last Modified: 12 Mar 2010 23:54 GMT

A series of attacks in Pakistan's second city, Lahore, has killed dozens of people and wounded more than 100 others, police say.

At least 45 people, including 10 soldiers, were killed in Friday's first attack - twin suicide explosions aimed at military vehicles.

The double bombing occurred in RA Bazaar, a residential and commercial neighbourhood where several security agencies have facilities.

"Two suicide bombers attacked within the span of 15 to 20 seconds and they were on foot," Tariq Saleem Dogar, the chief of Punjab police, said.

Second attack

Hours later, residents across Lahore were urged to stay at home after five blasts targeted the Allamma Iqbal Town area.

At least two people were reported killed in these explosions, which officials said were not very powerful.

"These were locally made, low-intensity bombs in which a very small quantity of explosives was used," Mazhar Ahmed, a bomb-disposal official, said.

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No group immediately claimed responsibility for Friday's blasts, but the government blamed the Taliban.

A suicide car bombing targeted a police intelligence building in the same city on Monday, killing 13 people.

Pakistani authorities have said security crackdowns and offensives against Taliban strongholds have weakened the Pakistani Taliban.
   
Hashem Ahelbarra, Al Jazeera's correspondent in Islamabad, the federal capital, said the army offensives and recent arrests of the group's leaders had been followed by a period of calm.

But he said the lull in attacks was soon interrupted by a series of attacks throughout Pakistan.

"Today's attack in Lahore could be a clear message from the Taliban that although they were driven away from places like Swat, and their leadership is being hunted by the Americans and the Pakistani intelligence, they still have the capability to inflict maximum damage on the Pakistani security forces, particularly the army and the police," our correspondent said.

Source:
Al Jazeera and agencies
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