Thursday, September 22 2005 14:44 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Lahore: Two bombings in Pakistan's eastern city of Lahore killed four people and injured 19 today (Sept 22, 2005), police said. Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed condemned the 'terrorist attacks' and blamed 'enemies of Pakistan.'

There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

The first bomb, planted under the seat of bicycle, went off near a crowded public park, killing one person and injuring nine, three seriously.

About 90 minutes later, a second bomb went off in a commercial district of the city, outside a jewelry shop, police said.

Mobin Ahmed, security police chief for Lahore, said three people were killed in the second blast and 10 injured, four seriously.

"It seems the same people are behind both attacks," said Ahmed, but he did not say who might be behind it or their motive.

Pakistan is often hit by bombings motivated by sectarian hatred and opposition to the Government's support of the United States-led war on terrorism. Sometimes attacks are motivated by business disputes and political rivalry.

Mobin said the first blast was caused by a locally made high-intensity time device. It went off at the side of a main road in central Lahore during rush hour and caused a stampede by hundreds of panicked people inside the adjoining Manto Park, although none were injured. The road was blocked off and traffic was diverted as police and explosives experts sifted through the debris for evidence.