News Desk:
The deadly mosque bombing in Peshawar has martyred 62 people and injured dozens. The condition of over a dozen people is serious. The bomb went off inside a mosque in the Qisa Khwani area of Peshawar. “The blast seems to be a suicide attack”, Muhammad Ijaz Khan, the Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) said.
He confirmed one police official was martyred while Asim Khan, media manager of Lady Reading, said 30 bodies had been brought to the hospital so far. Emergency imposed in the hospital to provide medical treatment to injured of the blast.
KP government spokesman Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif said the explosion was a suicide bombing. He added that two terrorists were involved in the attack.
The bomb went off when the worshipers had gathered for Friday prayer in the Kocha Risaldar area of Peshawar.
The CCPO said that according to initial reports, two attackers tried to enter a mosque in the city’s Qissa Khwani Bazaar and fired at the policemen standing guard. As a result, one policeman was martyred while the other was critically injured, the CCPO said. Following the attack, a blast took place in the mosque.
Talking to media later in the day, Barrister Saif said security was provided to mosques as a “general rule”. He added that the administration had adopted security measures at this mosque as well, adding that such measures were always ensured during congregation prayers on Fridays.
“Those martyred and injured in the attack would be given monetary assistance under the government’s special package,” he said.
No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.
The blast was heard far and wide causing panic in the area. Dozens of rescue workers and local residents of the area reached the spot to shift the injured of the blast.
