Newsman: An explosion at a mosque inside a highly fortified compound in Peshawar, Pakistan killed more than 34 people and about 150 others wounded. The mosque is within Peshawar’s Police Lines, which is part of the city’s red zone where a number of important government installations are, including the Chief Minister House, Governor House, a counterterrorism department and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial assembly building. Monday, authorities announced a sudden public holiday as they prepared to host the president of the United Arab Emirates. But the Pakistani prime minister’s office said that visit was called off – because of the weather.
At a press conference, Pakistan’s interior minister said initial information suggested the explosion was caused by a suicide bomber.
Pakistan authorities said part of the building collapsed and that many people were feared to be trapped under the rubble.
Peshawar’s police chief, Muhammad Ijaz Khan, said in a televised statement that the capacity of the main hall of the mosque was nearly 300 and it was “nearly full” at the time of the explosion.
“We cannot at the moment confirm there was a suicide attacker but we need to conduct more investigations,” he said. “However, there is a possibility of there being a suicide bomber.”
Muhammed Asim, Lady Reading Hospital spokesperson in Peshawar, told reporters at least 32 people were killed and more than 70 injured people were brought in for treatment.
A Peshawar police official told reporters 34 people died and about 150 people were wounded in total.
“The [bomber was reportedly] sitting in the front row of the congregational prayers inside the mosque,” he added.
Shahid Ali, a policeman who survived the attack, said the explosion took place seconds after the prayers started.
“I saw black smoke rising to the sky. I ran out to save my life,” the 47-year-old told the AFP news agency.
“The screams of the people are still echoing in my mind,” he added. “People were screaming for help.”
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast on Monday.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the bombing in a statement and ordered authorities to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the victims. He promised “stern action” against those behind the attack.
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan took to Twitter to condemn the attack.
“Strongly condemn the terrorist suicide attack in police lines mosque Peshawar during prayers,” he tweeted.
“It is imperative we improve our intelligence gathering and properly equip our police forces to combat the growing threat of terrorism.”Last March, a suicide bomber attacked a mosque there, killing 64 in Pakistan’s deadliest terror attack since 2018. The Islamic State in Khorasan Province, ISKP (ISIS-K) claimed responsibility for the bombing.
In 2022 alone, Pakistan’s monitoring agencies recorded more than 150 attacks launched by the TTP, who are ideologically aligned with the Afghan Taliban, across the country, killing dozens of people.
Pakistan has seen a surge in violence during the last year, with numerous attacks on law enforcement officials, particularly in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province as well as the southern province of Balochistan.
