LAHORE: A joint investigation team (JIT) was formed on Friday to probe the Raiwind suicide attack, which had claimed the lives of 11 people so far as another wounded policeman, Constable Sabir Ali, succumbed to his injuries at Jinnah Hospital. Later, funeral prayer for Constable Sabir Ali was held at Police Lines Qilla Gujjar Singh. Punjab Police Inspector General Arif Nawaz, Deputy Inspector General (Operations_ Dr Haider Ashraf and others were present. Moreover, on Friday, security officials completed geo-fencing of the area. Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif also chaired a meeting on security-related issues on Friday, where the authorities submitted the initial investigation report of the blast. Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah Thursday said that the initial probe had revealed that police personnel were the target of terrorists. Moreover, Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal said that cowardly attacks of terrorism won’t deter national projects. “A huge attack was prevented due to adequate security arrangements,” he remarked, adding that security institutions are always on alert. Following the suicide blast on police checkpost, Lahore police have beefed up the security across the provincial capital. Police sources said that the personnel deputed at city’s police stations were directed to keep a vigilant eye on all crowded places situated in their respective jurisdictions. Those investigating the blast told Daily Times that a high-grade explosive was used in the attack, which increased the intensity of the bomb and caused maximum damage unlike traditional explosives. At least five police personnel and four citizens were martyred Wednesday evening in a suicide attack near a police checkpost in the Raiwind area on the outskirts of Lahore. The explosion led to a fire that engulfed cars and bikes parked nearby. Security forces cordoned off the area and started search operation after the blast, as forensic experts started collecting evidences from the site. Security was beefed up at all important places, government and private buildings and entry and exit points of the city. Emergency was declared at several public hospitals after the blast and presence of doctors, nurses and paramedical staffs was ensured to provide timely treatment to the injured persons. The administration also ensured provision of life-saving drugs, blood and other equipment in the emergency wards of public hospitals. This was the first explosion targeting the provincial capital since the start of 2018. Lahore underwent a series of terrorist attacks last year in which more than 60 people were killed. Published in Daily Times, March 17th 2018.