2016 Lahore suicide bombing
| 2016 Lahore suicide bombing | |
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| Part of the War in North-West Pakistan | |
A photograph of Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park. The bomb was detonated by the park's main gateway (not pictured).
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 Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park
Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park
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| Location | Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park, Lahore, Pakistan |
| Coordinates | 31°30′59″N 74°17′25″E / 31.51625°N 74.29032°ECoordinates: 31°30′59″N 74°17′25″E / 31.51625°N 74.29032°E |
| Date | 27 March 2016 18:30 (UTC+05:00) |
| Target | Christians celebrating Easter |
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Attack type
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Suicide bombing |
| Weapons | Explosive belt |
| Deaths | 75 (including 29 children); a majority of whom were Muslim |
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Non-fatal injuries
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340 |
| Perpetrators | Jamaat-ul-Ahrar |
On 27 March 2016, Easter Sunday, at least 75 people were killed and over 340 injured in a suicide bombing that hit the main entrance of Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park, one of the largest parks in Lahore, Pakistan. The attack targeted Christians who were celebrating Easter. Of the 75 dead, 14 were identified as Christians and the rest (61) as Muslims. The majority of victims were women and children. Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a group affiliated with the Pakistani Taliban, claimed responsibility for the attack. The attack led to worldwide condemnation and national mourning throughout Pakistan. Pakistan also launched a widespread counter-terrorism operation in South Punjab, arresting more than 200 people.
The Pakistani Taliban operates as an umbrella organization for various Islamist militant groups in Pakistan. These extremist groups have frequently attacked Christians, who make up 2% of Pakistan's population. Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, the perpetrator of the current attack and once a breakaway organisation that reunited in March 2015 have declared their intention to carry out more attacks in the future.
The bombing took place at 18:30; a Rescue 1122 spokesman recounted how they had received an emergency call around 18:44, and 23 ambulances were sent to the location. The perpetrator used an explosives-packed vest. More than 40 bodies arrived at Jinnah Hospital. A shortage of ambulances forced taxis and rickshaws to transport the injured. Responsibility was claimed by the Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a group affiliated with the Pakistani Taliban that had previously been responsible for bombings at two Lahore churches on 15 March 2015. A statement by Jamaat-ul-Ahrar spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan said the attack targeted Christians.
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