At least 15 people have been killed in two explosions in Pakistan's eastern city of Lahore, police say.
At least 15 people have been killed in two explosions in Pakistan's eastern city of Lahore, police say.
The majority of the victims died in a blast that hit an office of the federal police, reports say.
The majority of the victims died in a blast that hit an office of the federal police, reports say.
A second explosion happened in a residential area and killed two children, according to the police.
A second explosion happened in a residential area and killed two children, according to the police.
Shortly after the blasts, the Australian cricket team announced the cancellation their forthcoming tour to Pakistan over security fears.
Shortly after the blasts, the Australian cricket team announced the cancellation of their forthcoming tour to Pakistan over security fears.
State-run television showed pictures from Lahore of a damaged multi-storeyed building, charred vehicles and uprooted trees at the site of the blast near the federal police office.
State-run television showed pictures from Lahore of a damaged multi-storeyed building, charred vehicles and uprooted trees at the site of the blast near the federal police office.
The police said the first explosion hit the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) at 0925 local time in Lahore.
The police said the first explosion hit the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) at 0925 local time in Lahore.
FIA official Mirza Mohammed Yasin told reporters that it was caused by a bomb planted near a lift inside the building.
FIA official Mirza Mohammed Yasin told reporters that it was caused by a bomb planted near a lift inside the building.
'Raging fire'
'Raging fire'
"The building is badly damaged. Fire is raging," witness Tariq Saeed told Reuters news agency.
"The building is badly damaged. Fire is raging," witness Tariq Saeed told Reuters news agency.
"Bodies are being taken out of the building. I have seen five," he said.
"Bodies are being taken out of the building. I have seen five," he said.
The BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says some 200 to 300 people are said to work in the building, and the number of casualties is expected to rise.
Some 200 to 300 people are said to work in the building, and the number of casualties is expected to rise, says the BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad.
The cause of the second explosion was not immediately known.
The cause of the second explosion was not immediately known.
Last week, four people were killed and 14 injured in a suicide bombing at a naval college in Lahore.
Last week, four people were killed and 14 injured in a suicide bombing at a naval college in Lahore.
Lahore, the capital of Punjab province, has not been a frequent target, although 19 people were killed in a suicide bomb attack near the High Court in January.
Lahore, the capital of Punjab province, has not been a frequent target, although 19 people were killed in a suicide bomb attack near the High Court in January.
Pakistan's government has been fighting an Islamist insurgency in its northern provinces and its major cities, and the military is frequently targeted by bombers.
Pakistan's government has been fighting an Islamist insurgency in its northern provinces and its major cities, and the military is frequently targeted by bombers.
Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was killed by a suicide bomber in Rawalpindi in December.
Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was killed by a suicide bomber in Rawalpindi in December.
Have you been affected by this story? Are you in Lahore? Send us your comments using the form below:
Have you been affected by this story? Are you in Lahore? Send us your comments using the form below:
I heard a big bang by which all the nearby buildings were shattered and then huge bumps of smoke raising to the sky. The jerk was like the shocks of earthquake. People are afraid of going out whether they will come back or not Dr Zamir Khan
I heard a big bang by which all the nearby buildings were shattered and then huge bumps of smoke raising to the sky. The jerk was like the shocks of earthquake. People are afraid of going out whether they will come back or not Dr Zamir Khan
All Pakistanis, especially Lahoris have been deeply affected by this barbaric act. Unfortunately, Pakistan's intelligence is so weak that they cannot protect their own. How can one expect from them to protect the lives of ordinary citizens. No matter how, it should be prime responsibility of Pakistan's leadership to go after these bombers and wipe them out from the region. They key Q is who could they be? I wonder if it is the role of opposition parties to destabilize the nation or terrorists across the neighbouring border. Who could it be and for what? Azhar , Lahore
All Pakistanis, especially Lahoris have been deeply affected by this barbaric act. Unfortunately, Pakistan's intelligence is so weak that they cannot protect their own. How can one expect from them to protect the lives of ordinary citizens. No matter how, it should be prime responsibility of Pakistan's leadership to go after these bombers and wipe them out from the region. They key Q is who could they be? I wonder if it is the role of opposition parties to destabilize the nation or terrorists across the neighbouring border. Who could it be and for what? Azhar , Lahore
The blast happened at around 9.15 am (local time). We live around 10-15 km away from the reported site but the intensity was so huge that the whole house shook and windows started rattling. The first blast was extremely powerful followed by another one of less intensity after about 5 seconds.Farhaan Rao, Lahore, Pakistan
The blast happened at around 9.15 am (local time). We live around 10-15 km away from the reported site but the intensity was so huge that the whole house shook and windows started rattling. The first blast was extremely powerful followed by another one of less intensity after about 5 seconds.Farhaan Rao, Lahore, Pakistan
well im totally mortified by the bombings in the morning and feel for my country..i just hope that we stick by each other in this testing time and would come out as a stronger nationEmmad Irfani, Lahore,Pakistan
well im totally mortified by the bombings in the morning and feel for my country..i just hope that we stick by each other in this testing time and would come out as a stronger nationEmmad Irfani, Lahore,Pakistan
It was a terrible attack. I have seen the broken glasses of the buildings round about 1km nearby. Fire is on in Sui Gas Pipeline. Rescue is provided by the government agencies.Sohail Ahmad, Lahore
It was a terrible attack. I have seen the broken glasses of the buildings round about 1km nearby. Fire is on in Sui Gas Pipeline. Rescue is provided by the government agencies.Sohail Ahmad, Lahore
We strongly condemns such attacks, we are strong nation, we believe a Muslim can't do such attack. it might be some external forces who are trying to destabilise our country. Sheikh Aamer, Pakistan, Lahore
We strongly condemns such attacks, we are strong nation, we believe a Muslim can't do such attack. it might be some external forces who are trying to destabilise our country. Sheikh Aamer, Pakistan, Lahore
Pakistanis are treated as terrorist world wide, the whole world can see whats happening there nowadays, its clear that outsources are doing it there as well as every where in the world not the Pakistanis, we as a nation are suffering; at home country and abroad, its even difficult to travel abroad for we people with our families, I have stopped going for vacation abroad with my kid cause foreign immigration authorities treat you so badly at times only cause you have a pak passport and i don't want my son to feel inferior for this reason Ms A, Lahore
Pakistanis are treated as terrorist world wide, the whole world can see whats happening there nowadays, its clear that outsources are doing it there as well as every where in the world not the Pakistanis, we as a nation are suffering; at home country and abroad, its even difficult to travel abroad for we people with our families, I have stopped going for vacation abroad with my kid cause foreign immigration authorities treat you so badly at times only cause you have a pak passport and i don't want my son to feel inferior for this reason Ms A, Lahore
