New Delhi, May 8: A series of explosions in Pakistan on Thursday sparked widespread panic and led to the suspension of flight operations at three major airports — Karachi, Lahore, and Sialkot — as authorities imposed a high-level security alert across the country.
The latest explosion occurred in Karachi’s Sharafi Goth area, where police recovered metal fragments from the site, according to local broadcaster Samaa TV. Just hours earlier, three consecutive blasts were reported near a military establishment in Lahore’s Walton Road area, close to the upscale Gulberg district, ARY News reported.
Emergency services and bomb disposal squads were deployed at both locations. Lahore Police confirmed that the blasts occurred in rapid succession and were strong enough to be heard several kilometres away, sending residents fleeing their homes in fear.
Security agencies have cordoned off the affected areas in both cities, barring entry to civilians while preliminary investigations are underway to identify the nature and cause of the explosions.
In response to the escalating situation, the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) suspended all flight operations at the Karachi, Lahore, and Sialkot airports until at least 12 PM (local time) on Thursday. Both domestic and international flights have been delayed or diverted, affecting hundreds of passengers.
The PAA has urged travelers to contact their respective airlines for updated flight schedules and possible rebookings as the situation unfolds.
The cause and perpetrators behind the explosions remain unknown, with intelligence and security agencies continuing their assessment. This wave of blasts comes amid heightened tensions and increasing internal security challenges within Pakistan.
