A woman comforts a man mourning for their relative killed in a bomb explosion at a local hospital in Lahore on November 2. (Associated Press)
Imdad Husain was returning after watching the parade ceremony at the Wagah border, Lahore, when he heard a loud bang.
"I fell unconscious. When I gained consciousness, it was completely dark. Many people were injured and I cried for help, lying on the road. After 15 minutes, some men came towards me and shifted me to the Ghurki Hospital," he said.
Husain was lucky - 52 people had died in the suicide attack that took place at the Wagah border this evening. Another of the lucky ones was Samina Bibi, who had gone to view the parade with her husband and two young children. But they are yet to be traced.
From the bed of the Ghurki Hospital, she cried and asked doctors about her husband and children. "The doctors were comforting her, saying they are alright," Husain said.
"A large number of people were returning after watching the Rangers flag ceremony when the suicide bomber blew himself up near one of the exit gates," said Inspector General of Punjab Police Mushtaq Sukhera. "We had reports that some banned outfits might target Shias, religious personalities, public processions and important buildings," he added.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has condemned the Lahore blast and ordered the authorities concerned to provide the best possible medical facilities to the injured.
Pakistan has been hit by a homegrown Taliban insurgency that has left thousands of people dead in the past decade. In June, the army began an operation against the militant hideouts in the North Waziristan tribal region, after a bloody attack on the Karachi airport, which ended the fledgling peace talks between the Pakistan government and the Taliban.
The Pakistan military says over 1,100 militants and 100 soldiers have been killed since the Operation Zarb-e-Azb began while more than 100 militants have surrendered.