The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) on Wednesday said it had conducted several overnight raids in different cities of Punjab in connection to the Johar Town blast which left 3 dead, and at least 24 injured.

As per media reports, several arrests have also been made and further investigations are underway.

Raids came after three people were killed and dozens injured when a vehicle laden with explosives blew up in Johar Town near Jamatud Dawa leader Hafiz Saeed's residence. According to the initial reports, 30 kg of explosive material — padded with ball bearings, nails, and other sharp items — was used by the attackers in a "controlled and targeted" explosion. The probe report also suggests the explosive material used was of a 'foreign nature'.

CTD and intelligence agencies have collected evidence from the crime and the vehicle's parts have been preserved for further analysis. Investigative agencies have also started geo-fencing the area to help with the probe.

Blast in Lahore:

The explosion took place near the banned JuD chief's home in Johar Town neighborhood on Wednesday morning. The explosion was reportedly so loud that the glass windows of nearby houses and buildings shattered. Meanwhile, the police say a 4 feet deep and 8 feet wide crater was created at the site of the blast.

Three people including a child lost their lives in the blast while 24 were injured. The injured were taken to Jinnah hospital where an emergency was declared.

Inspector General (IG) Punjab Inam Ghani dismissed rumours of Saeed's house being a target and said he believed it was the police which was targeted. "There is a police picket near the house of a high-value target, which is why the vehicle could not have gone near the house."

CM Buzdar takes notice of the incident:

Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Khan Buzdar immediately took notice of the incident and ordered an investigation into, and directed the IG to submit a detailed report to him.