41 dead in Pak shrine attack

Three suicide bombers struck a famous Sufi shrine in Lahore late last night

Three suicide bombers struck a famous Sufi shrine in Lahore late last nightu00a0u00a0u00a0

Three suicide bombers attacked a popular Muslim shrine in the Pakistan city of Lahore late last night, killing at least 41 people and wounding 175 others, the city's top official said.

The attackers struck as thousands of people were visiting the Data Darabar shrine, where a famous Sufi saint is buried. Islamic extremists consider Sufis to be heretics and have often targeted them in attacks.

On their toes: Pakistani security officials examine the site of suicide bomb attacks at the Saint Syed Ali bin Osman Al-Hajvery shrine, popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh in Lahore last night. Pic/AFP

Bombings
The first suicide bomber detonated his explosives in a large underground room where visitors sleep and wash themselves before praying, said Khusro Pervez, the top government official in Lahore.

Minutes later, a second bomber detonated his explosives in a large yard upstairs as people tried to flee the first attack, he said.

Police are still investigating the source of a third blast that followed the two suicide bombers.

At least 25 of those wounded in the attacks are in critical condition, said Pervez.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the bombings.

"This sickening poison of extremism will be driven out of our nation and we will not be cowed," said Farahnaz Ispahani, a spokeswoman for President Asif Ali Zardari, in a text message to CNN.

"Peaceful worshipers have once again been targetted by those who want to destroy the fabric of this great country. We will not forgive or forget and we will get justice for all Pakistanis murdered in cold blood -- be they Muslim, Christian, Ahmedi or of any other faith," he added.

May attack

On May 28, gunmen and a suicide squad lobbed grenades and sprayed bullets in attacks on two mosques in the eastern city packed with worshippers from the minority Ahmadi sect. At least 93 people were killed and dozens wounded.