LAHORE: Three people including a child and a 38-year-old man were killed while 28 injured in a blast in a popular market here.

Police officials said an improvised explosive device (IED) was used in the blast. The explosion damaged numerous motorcycles that were parked at the famous Anarkali Bazaar, and shattered window panes of nearby shops. Injured persons were immediately shifted to nearby hospitals for medical treatment.

Earlier, Lahore deputy inspector-general of operations, Dr Muhammad Abid Khan told the media that an inquiry was at an initial stage and the nature of blast was being determined.

The DIG-Operation said, “The evidence was being collected and the details of explosion will be confirmed soon.”

Prime minister Imran Khan, opposition leader Shahbaz Shariff, and other political leaders condemned the explosion at Anarkali Bazaar. Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has ordered inquiry into the incident. Mayo hospital officials say four people were in critical conditions but doctors were trying hard to save them while other injured had already been given first aid.