59 killed, 150 injured in suicide blast in Peshawar Police Lines’ masjid

PESHAWAR: At least 59 people including two policemen were killed and 150 others people were wounded in a suicide blast in a masjid next to the Police Lines in Peshawar on Monday.

According to media 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.

Rescue workers and ambulances have rushed to the spot and started to shift the injured people to Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar, where an emergency has been declared. LRH spokesperson Asim said that over 90 injured were shifted to the hospital with 15 of them with critical conditions. 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.