A suicide car bomber has attacked police headquarters in the Pakistani city of Lahore, killing at least 23 people and injuring 200, police say.
The blast destroyed a police emergency response building, gutting vehicles outside, and an office of the ISI intelligence service was also damaged.
It is feared the death toll may rise further as casualties are brought out from beneath the rubble.
Attacks on Pakistan's second-largest city have been blamed on the Taliban.
Pakistan's army has been battling the insurgents in their stronghold in the Swat valley, in the north-west, and there have been fears of Taliban retaliation, the BBC's Barbara Plett reports.
Rescuers speaking unofficially put the death toll at 35, although this figure is unconfirmed.
Issam Ahmed, a journalist with the Dawn newspaper in Lahore, arrived at the scene about 20 minutes after the blast.
He told the BBC he could still hear shots in the area, as security forces apparently exchanged gunfire with militants.
A least two arrests were made in the area.
Rescue workers were seen clambering over a pile of concrete which was all that remained of the emergency response headquarters.
They were able to drag out several of the injured. Semi-conscious policemen could be seen being carried out in blood-stained uniforms.
Debris was scattered on the road outside. Officials were seen rushing towards the buildings to cordon off the area.
The blast also destroyed several cars parked or standing on the main Mall road opposite to the police building.
Bulldozers and other heavy lifting equipment were brought in as many people were feared to be trapped under the debris.
Altercations also took place between members of the media and security personnel as the former tried to get in to the site of the blast.
The blast destroyed a police emergency response building, gutting vehicles outside, and an office of the ISI intelligence service was also damaged.
It is feared the death toll may rise further as casualties are brought out from beneath the rubble.
Attacks on Pakistan's second-largest city have been blamed on the Taliban.
Pakistan's army has been battling the insurgents in their stronghold in the Swat valley, in the north-west, and there have been fears of Taliban retaliation, the BBC's Barbara Plett reports.
Rescuers speaking unofficially put the death toll at 35, although this figure is unconfirmed.
Issam Ahmed, a journalist with the Dawn newspaper in Lahore, arrived at the scene about 20 minutes after the blast.
He told the BBC he could still hear shots in the area, as security forces apparently exchanged gunfire with militants.
A least two arrests were made in the area.
Rescue workers were seen clambering over a pile of concrete which was all that remained of the emergency response headquarters.
They were able to drag out several of the injured. Semi-conscious policemen could be seen being carried out in blood-stained uniforms.
Debris was scattered on the road outside. Officials were seen rushing towards the buildings to cordon off the area.
The blast also destroyed several cars parked or standing on the main Mall road opposite to the police building.
Bulldozers and other heavy lifting equipment were brought in as many people were feared to be trapped under the debris.
Altercations also took place between members of the media and security personnel as the former tried to get in to the site of the blast.
Via:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8069467.stm
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