At least 43 people were killed and 175 others injured in three suicide bomb attacks which took place at a shrine in Pakistan's eastern city of Lahore late Thursday night.

Rescuers carry a victim from the blast site in eastern Pakistani city of Lahore on July 2, 2010. At least 43 people were killed and 175 others injured in three suicide bomb attacks at a shrine in Lahore late Thursday night, according to local sources and media reports. [Jamil Ahmad/Xinhua]

Three blasts went off at the shrine Data Darbar in Lahore, where many local people were exercising religious activities inside. One blast took place inside the shrine while another went off in front of the main gate of the shrine and the third was in the court yard, local police said.

Following the blasts, large crowds of angry people, including families of the victims, gathered outside the shrine, protesting against the terrorist attack.

Police tried to disperse the crowds by heavy aerial fire and tear gas and demonstrators hurled stones at the police in retaliation, said witnesses, adding that at least four policemen were injured during the clash.

The injured people have been sent to several hospitals which are calling on local residents to donate blood for the injured because of a serious shortage of blood supply. Emergency has been declared in all hospitals and high alert was also declared across the city.

Death toll could further rise as at least 20 of the injured people are said to be in critical conditions.