Suspected Taliban militants today targeted the provincial headquarters of the ISI in Lahore, detonating an explosives-laden car which killed at least 35 people, including a Colonel and six other personnel of the agency, and wounded over 250.

Heavily armed militants, believed to be five in number, failed to reach the main premises housing the ISI office but detonated the explosives, damaging the building and flattening the city police rescue office.

The terror squad headed their vehicle towards the two buildings located off Mall Road but as heavily armed guards prevented them, they came out and exchanged fire before setting off a massive blast. Over 40 vehicles were destroyed and considerable damage was caused to nearby buildings.

TV channels reported eight suspects were arrested. The dead ISI officer was simply identified as Colonel Amir.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik said the attack could be in retaliation to the military offensive against Taliban militants in the north-western Swat valley.

Punjab government officials confirmed only 28 people dead but the Edhi Ambulance Service put the death toll at 35. Hospital officials said 13 of the dead were policemen and seven were ISI personnel.

Police chief Pervaiz Rathore estimated over 100 kg of explosives was used in the blast. He said the death toll could rise as a number of people were still trapped under the rubble of the buildings.

“A white car approached the ISI headquarters, opened fire on the police guards and also threw grenades before heading towards it,” said eyewitness Abid Ali.

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