Picture : Twitter/ ANI
A Taliban suicide bomber blew himself up in a mosque packed with worshippers during afternoon prayers on Monday in the high-security zone in Pakistan’s restive northwestern Peshawar city, killing 46 people and wounding nearly 150 others, mostly policemen, officials said.
In a re[ort by PTI, The blast occurred inside the mosque in the Police Lines area around 1.40 pm when worshippers, which included personnel of the police, army and bomb disposal squad – were offering the Zuhr (afternoon) prayers. The bomber who was present in the front row blew himself up, officials said.
Lady Reading Hospital officials said 46 people have died so far. However, the Peshawar Police has released a list of 38 victims.
“An emergency has been imposed at hospitals across the city and injured persons are being provided the best medical facilities,” Dawn reported citing the senior official as saying. Those who are injured in the blast, are reportedly said to be in critical condition.
The blast took place in the mosque located in the Police Lines area of Peshawar during afternoon prayers.
The security officials said that the suicide attacker was present in the front row during the prayers when he exploded himself, as per local media reports. The injured were taken to the Lady Reading Hospital of Peshawar for treatment.
According to ANI report, An eyewitness said that there were at least 120 people in the mosque when the explosion took place. He said that the injured mostly included police personnel.
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has condemned the terrorist suicide attack in a mosque in Peshawar. He called for improving intelligence and equipping police forces.
“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,” Khan wrote in a tweet.
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
The area has been completely sealed and only ambulances are being allowed to enter the locality, according to Dawn.
