At least 56 killed and 194 others sustained injuries in a suicide blast inside a mosque in Peshawar’s Kocha Risaldar area on Friday.
The police officials said that the explosion occurred when worshippers were gathered in the mosque for Friday prayers.
Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) spokesperson Muhammad Asim confirmed the death toll, adding that most of the injured suffered injuries in upper parts of their bodies.
He said that additional medical personnel have been called and a red alert has been declared at the hospital.
No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.
Talking to media, Senior Superintendent of Police Haroon Rashid said that it was apparently a suicide attack in which two policemen, deployed at the gate of the mosque, were also martyred.
He said there were two attackers but only one of them was a suicide bomber.
He said it is premature to say anything about the explosives used in the attack. “Initial investigations are underway and we can share more information later,” he said.
He added that no threat alert was earlier received about the attack.
Sharing the horrific details of the attack, an eyewitness, Shayan Haider, told that he was preparing to enter the mosque when a powerful explosion threw him to the street.
“I opened my eyes and there was dust and bodies everywhere,” he said.
Another eyewitness said that a person dressed in black clothes entered the mosque and exploded himself after killing the security guard.
“After that, he quickly entered the [mosque’s] main hall and blew himself up. Following this, there were bodies and injured people lying everywhere,” he said.
“The hall was filled with people, who were on the bottom and top floors. The incident took place at 12:55pm. The people took the injured worshipers to the hospital via motorcycles as rescue workers faced hindrances while arriving at the site due to congested alleys.”
Special Assistant to KP Chief Minister Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif informed that the terrorists first tried to enter the mosque and opened fire on the police officials. He informed that during the fire, a terrorist entered the mosque and exploded himself.
He said that the security forces have cordoned off the area and started further investigation.
“Those martyred and injured in the attack would be given monetary assistance under the government’s special package,” he added.
CONDEMNATIONS:
Prime Minister Imran Khan strongly condemned the blast and directed for immediate medical aid to the injured and demanded a report on the incident.
President Dr Arif Alvi condemned the incident in a statement and expressed grief over the precious lives lost. He expressed sympathy with the families of the departed and also prayed for the recovery of the injured.
Awami National Party (ANP) President Asfandyar Wali Khan also condemned the attack and said that it is alarming that a new wave of unrest has spread across the country. “The government has failed to protect the citizens. If steps are not taken, the situation will get worse,” he said in his statement.
Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed said that the attack was a pre-planned act to destabilise Pakistan. He said no security alert was issued about the attack. “External forces want to disturb peace in Pakistan,” he said, adding that he has sought a report from IGP and the KP chief secretary.
PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, PML-N President and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz, and PPP’s Senator Sherry Rehman also strongly condemned the incident.
German Ambassador to Pakistan Bernhard Schlagheck said he was heartbroken by the “act of horrific terror against worshippers in Peshawar”.
“My colleagues at the embassy and I stand in solidarity with the victims and their families in this difficult hour. Wishing quick recovery to the injured,” he said.
