Pakistan In Three Day State of Mourning As Bombing In Lahore Death Toll Continues To Rise

The Punjab government has announced a three-day state of mourning in Lahore, Pakistan, after a bomb ripped through Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park, one of the largest public parks in the eastern city. The bombing in Lahore was set off by a suicide bomber wearing an explosive vest; at least 10 kilograms of explosives were used in the bombing, according to the New York Times.

The death toll on Easter Sunday was 69. Today, local news media put the number of deaths following the bombing in Lahore at 71, including 17 children.

One pastor oversaw the burial of six children and teenagers on Monday that left him heartbroken. He said six funeral processions moved through the cramped alleyways of Youhanabad, beginning at the Children’s Chapel. “I’m not angry,” said the pastor. “I’m just full of despair.”

Perez, a 34-year-old mason, lost his young son to the act of terror; his son was one of the children buried on Monday. “At the church we have security, but in these public places the government has provided nothing,” he said after his son was buried under a banyan tree at the heart of a Youhanabad cemetery. The Punjab provincial government has provided extensive security at churches following last March’s deadly Taliban bombings in Youhanabad, and they now feel like somewhat of a safe haven to Christians.

According to hospital sources, 252 people were admitted to hospitals across the city by 10 a.m. on Easter Monday. 89 of the victims have been discharged but 26 of the 252 people admitted are in still in a critical condition, officials have said.

The victims with the least serious injuries had to wait until Monday to be operated on with injuries such as broken bones needing to be fixed or shrapnel removed. One of the Lahore bomb victims, Nadeem Gul, a 35-year-old driver, was with his two children when the bomb went off. Gul was peppered with shrapnel from the explosion but miraculously his two sons escaped injury. “We have had to learn to live with fear,” Nadeem Gul said. “Every time there is a religious festival we Christians feel a looming sense of threat. We cannot be happy on our holy occasions.”

The Lahore city hospitals are at their limit today and absolute chaos has ensued as relatives of the victims continue to pour into the under resourced hospitals. Lahore hospitals have made a desperate public plea for blood donations in wake of the bombing according to the Guardian.

Rashida Bibi, 50, was also treated in one of the brimming hospitals for head injuries after the attack. Bibi said 32 members of her family had come to Lahore, from Sahiwal, to enjoy Sunday as Lahore is widely considered the cultural and political hub of Pakistan. They were there when the bomb was detonated.

“We were at the swings. Suddenly there was a blast and I fell down. Children and women started screaming and soon rescue workers arrived. I cannot describe the terrible scenes.”

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was quick to arrive in Lahore after the bombing and by Easter Monday morning Sharif had visited Jinnah Hospital to show solidarity with the victims according to the Wall Street Journal. Sharif condemned the bombing on Lahore that killed mainly women and children and said that he was deeply saddened by the attack.

Jamaat-e-Ahrar, under the Pakistani Taliban, claimed responsibility for the bombing in Lahore and said that it was targeted at Christians. Pakistani officials are skeptical that the bombing in Lahore was aimed at Christians, who make up 2 percent of Pakistan’s 192 million population, as most of the people killed or wounded were Muslims. Sharif has vowed to bring the Jamaat-e-Ahrar to justice.

“Our resolve as a nation and as a government is getting stronger, and the cowardly enemy is trying for soft targets. Our goal is not only to eliminate terror infrastructure but also the extremist mind-set, which is a threat to our way of life.”

What the slaughter of Christians in Lahore says about the global jihad: https://t.co/4dCOwFm9x4 pic.twitter.com/ybOdi02xyn

— The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) March 30, 2016

The bombing attack in Lahore has drawn new attention to the government’s lack of efforts to stem terror in Pakistan and has renewed calls for action against militant groups. In response to the Lahore bombing, Pakistan’s army has moved quickly to arrest “suspect terrorists and facilitators.” They have also seized a “huge cache” of arms and ammunition during raids across Punjab province on Monday.

People are sharing this message in the wake of the Lahore blast https://t.co/yN3beGs1o9 pic.twitter.com/fvhu6yhsh5

— The Independent (@Independent) March 29, 2016

Most of the commercial centers and shopping areas across Lahore have been closed, and security forces are on high alert throughout the city following the attack. Many events, including a popular three-day Spring festival at Race Course Park in Lahore, have been cancelled due to security fears.

Shahbaz Sharif, the chief minister of Punjab and brother of the prime minister, has previously denied the need for army operations in Punjab and surrounding areas. In light of the Sunday attack, troops have now been deployed in Islamabad to secure Parliament and other prominent buildings.

Shahbaz Sharif has also promised compensation of 1 million rupees (1,5013.34 USD) to be paid to the families of the dead.

[Photo by B.K. Bangash/AP Images]