Pakistan: Two Arrested Over Easter Carnage
By UCA News
The Counter Terrorism Department of Pakistan’s Punjab province claims to have arrested two people over last year’s deadly suicide blast in crowded park in Lahore over Easter.
A spokesman for the department said that the arrested transported the suicide bomber who was trained in Afghanistan before being sent to Pakistan.
Franciscan Father Jamil Albert, who visited Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park moments after the bombing, welcomed the arrests and lauded government efforts in fighting terrorism.
“Punishment for terrorists and their facilitators and handlers is crucial to discourage youth from joining such groups,” he said.
A Taliban splinter group Jamaat-ul-Ahrar claimed responsibility, saying it targeted Christians celebrating Easter.
At least 75 people were killed and scores of others were wounded when a suicide bomber exploded his explosive-laden vest in Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park on March 27 last year.
Among the victims were at least 24 Christians who had come to the park to celebrate the religious festival, according to data provided by Caritas Pakistan.
