Lahore twin blasts signal new pattern in militant strikes

Islamabad, Dec. 8 (ANI): Monday's twin blasts in Lahore's Moon market area not only has damaged the city's 'safe' image, but it has also signalled a new pattern of the extremist attacks in the country.

The blasts, which were probably triggered-off by a remote controlled device, was the first of its kind in the recent past.

While all other strikes that occurred in the country in the recent past were suicide attacks, primarily targeting security officials, the blasts in the busy Moon market, in which more than 40 people were killed, were detonated remotely and targeted common people.

Rescue officials reported that a large number of the dead were women and children, including two brides-to-be who were receiving their bridal makeup at the time of the attack, The Christian Science Monitor reports.

Lahore, which was considered one of the safest cities in the country and Pakistan's cultural hub, has also witnessed successive strikes by the militants who have wreaked havoc in other parts of the country by striking at will.

Over 100 people have lost their lives in co-ordinated attacks in the city since last year, which was once famous for its theatres and concert venues.

The attacks have infuriated people here, who believe that true Muslims cannot carry out such inhuman acts of killing innocent children and women.

"How can the people behind this claim to be Muslims? There are no words to describe them. They are kaffirs (unbelievers). They will all go to hell," said Ali Pervaiz, a resident of Moon market. (ANI)