LAHORE: Eighteen people were killed and at least 157 others injured, some of them critically, in three blasts that ripped through a procession on the occasion of Yaum-e-Ali in Lahore on Wednesday.

DCO Lahore confirmed 18 people’s death while at least 157 , including women and children were shifted to hospitals. Twenty-five to 30 of the injured are said to be in serious condition.

A police constable was also killed in the blasts, CCPO Lahore said.

A banned organization Lashkar-e-Jhangvi Al-Almi claimed responsibility of the deadly blasts.

The first blast that occurred in the middle of the procession at Karbala Gaame Shah was followed within minutes by two high intensity suicide blasts at Bhaati Chowk, police sources confirmed.

Commissioner Lahore said that the second and third blasts were suicidal and that a head of one of the suicide bombers has been recovered.

Relief and rescue efforts kick started after blasts and dozens of injured, including women and children were shifted to different medical facilities including Meo Hospital.

Later, the participants of the procession and enraged people pelted police vehicles with stones and damaged public property. A TV footage showed a motor cycle and furniture burning with rising flames.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani strongly condemned the blasts and ordered the concerned authorities to carry out investigation.