PESHAWAR: At least 32 people including were killed and 147 others people were wounded in a suicide blast in a masjid next to the Police Lines in Peshawar on Monday.
According to reports, the suicide bomber was stood in the first row during the afternoon prayers. He blew himself when worshippers had gathered in the mosque for the afternoon prayers.
Peshawar Commissioner Riaz Mehsood has confirmed the casualties, adding that a rescue operation was under way inside the mosque as a number of people were still stuck under the rubble.
Rescue 1122 workers and ambulances have rushed to the spot and taken the injured people to Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar, where an emergency has been declared. LRH spokesperson Muhammad Asim said that around 15 people were in the critical condition. At least 15 were policemen among the injured, brought to the hospital, Asim said.
Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Hajji Ghulam Ali, while taking to media, said that 28 people were killed in the blast.
Earlier, DC Peshawar, said that at least 25 people were killed and 120 others wounded in the deadly attack.
The explosion was powerful enough to shatter window panes of nearby buildings. Reports indicate a part of the mosque was heavily damaged due to the explosion. An emergency has been imposed in the locality.
Speaking to the media, Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Peshawar Muhammad Ijaz Khan said that the roof of the mosque collapsed after the blast. “A number of jawans are still stuck under the rubble and rescuers are trying to pull them out.”
Caretaker CM condemns attack
Caretaker Chief Minister Azam Khan has took notice of the attack and ordered to declare emergency in all hospitals of the provincial capital.
PM Shehbaz Sharif
Reacting the the deadly attack, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said “Terrorists want to create fear by targeting those who perform the duty of defending Pakistan.”
He said that the incident “have nothing to do with Islam. “The entire nation is standing united against the menace of terrorism.”
PM Shehbaz also said that a comprehensive strategy will be adopted to counter the deteriorating law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the federal government will help provinces in increasing their anti-terrorism capacity.
Politicians Condemnations
Former president Asif Ali Zardari condemned the attack and said that spike in terrorism incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is dangerous.
Former prime minister Imran Khan also strongly condemned the “terrorist suicide attack” in Peshawar and expressed sympathies with the families of the victims.
PTI chief said that it is imperative we improve our intelligence gathering & properly equip our police forces to combat the growing threat of terrorism.
Strongly condemn the terrorist suicide attack in police lines mosque Peshawar during prayers. My prayers & condolences go to victims families. It is imperative we improve our intelligence gathering & properly equip our police forces to combat the growing threat of terrorism.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) January 30, 2023
Co-chairperson of the PPP and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, while condemning the attack, stressed that the National Action Plan was the only solution to the issue of terrorism and promised “it would be implemented strictly”. He also called party workers and position-holders to donate their blood to save the lives of the injured.
نیشنل ایکشن پلان ہی دہشتگردوں کا علاج ہے اس پر سختی سے عمل کیا جائے گا، بلاول بھٹو زرداری
پیپلزپارٹی کے کارکن اور عہدے دار خون کے عطیات دیکر زخمیوں کی جان بچائیں ، بلاول بھٹو زرداری
— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) January 30, 2023
