A suicide bomb attack at the Wagah checkpoint near Lahore and along the India-Pakistan border killed 55 people on Sunday evening.
The suicide bomb attack at Lahore happened just after a daily Rangers flag ceremony when troops from both sides of the border have lowered down the two nations' flags. Inspector general of police of Punjab Mushtaq Sukhera told, "A large number of people were returning after watching Rangers flag ceremony at Wagah border when a suicide bomber blew himself up near one of the exit gates".
The Pakistani Taliban took responsibility over the suicide bomb attack declaring it as a response to "Pakistani army's actions against their positions in tribal areas straddling Pakistan's border with Afghanistan", reported Reuters. Other militant groups are also claiming responsibility for the incident including Jundullah, according to BBC.
The suicide bomb attack was done in a high-profile target, the Wagah crossing, with the large crowds gathering every day to watch the flag-lowering ceremony as the border closes just before sunset. The attack took place in a car park on the Pakistani side at least 500 meters from the border with India.
A Pakistani intelligence official witnessed the incident and told Reuters, "I was sitting in my office near the border when I heard the blast. I rushed to the scene and saw scattered bodies, injured men, women and children and smashed cars."
The two countries, India and Pakistan, have fought three wars and have remained in a long-standing conflict as both sides claim the region of Kashmir.
India accused Pakistan of sponsoring jihadist movements in the region, a charge Pakistan still denies.
The India side was not affected by the suicide bomb attack confirmed by Ashok Kumar, India's Border Security Force guarding Wagah.
