A suicide blast inside a mosque in Peshawar’s Police Lines area on Monday killed 28 people while 150 others were injured, according to various reports.
According to security officials, the suicide attacker was present in the front row during the prayers when he exploded himself, injuring dozens of faithful offering Zohr prayers.
The outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had taken responsibility of the attack.
Peshawar Commissioner Riaz Khan Mehsud said that at least 28 people were martyred and 150 wounded in the blast.
The injured were shifted to the Lady Reading Hospital of Peshawar. The hospital has appealed to the citizens to donate blood for the victims.
Capital City Police Officer, Peshawar (CCPO) Ejaz Khan, while talking to media, said that it was too early to say anything as many policemen are still trapped under the rubble.
“We are currently focused on the rescue operation. We cannot say with surety but there is a smell of explosives inside the mosque,” said the CCPO. He added that the location has the headquarters of the Peshawar Police, CTD, FRP, Elite Force and telecommunications department.
“Close to 300-400 policemen usually offer prayers at the Zohr time. If a blast has taken place inside police lines then it is a security lapse but an investigation into the matter can reveal further,” said the CCPO.
Caretaker Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Muhammad Azam Khan imposed a medical emergency in all hospitals of Peshawar. The interim CM also instructed rescue organizations to speed up relief activities.
The CM has ordered to ensure immediate measures to transfer the injured to the hospital, directing the concerned authorities to provide timely medical assistance to the injured who are being shifted to hospitals.
Meanwhile, the provincial health department had announced a “medical emergency” in the city in the wake of the Police Lines Peshawar bomb blast.
Condemnations
I strongly condemn the heinous & cowardly blast that has taken place in Peshawar mosque. The perpetrators will be found and punished.
إنا لله وإنا إليه راجعون
Condolences to families who have lost an innocent member & prayers for injured. Terrorism must be buried forever.— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) January 30, 2023
President Dr. Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, have strongly condemned the blast, adding that the blast inside a mosque proves that those involved in the attack have “nothing to do with Islam.”
“These terrorists are trying to instil fear by targeting those who perform the duty of defending Pakistan,” he said, assuring the people that the coalition government will take strict action against those involved.
Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif revealed that the roof fell due to the intensity of blast, adding that the hospitals have been overwhelmed. He said that the police have been targeted, emphasising that the machinery that controlled terrorism before needs to be activated again.
