56 Killed, More Than 190 Injured in Bomb Blast in Pakistan Mosque

A rescue official said the blast occurred at a Jamia mosque in Qissa Khwani bazaar area in Peshawar when the worshippers were offering Friday prayers.

At least 56 people were killed and more than 190 were injured in a bomb blast in Peshawar during Friday prayers after an explosion near the Qissa Khwani Bazaar area, reports said.

The toll could go up as the blast occurred inside Jamia mosque when prayer was going on. Capital City Police Officer Peshawar, Ijaz Ahsan, as quoted by media, said that according to initial reports, two attackers tried to enter the mosque and fired at police officers present on duty. The blast inside the mosque took place after the firing incident.

Officials who termed the incident a suicide attack, initially said that two attackers were involved. However, CCTV footage released later in the day showed a lone attacker reaching the mosque in the city’s Qissa Khwani Bazaar on foot and brandishing a pistol.

Mohammad Asim, a spokesperson for Lady Reading Hospital (LRH), confirmed the causalities, adding that some of the injured were in critical condition, according to Dawn.

Police and security teams cordoned off the area and started to collect evidence. “I opened my eyes and there was dust and bodies everywhere,” witness Shayad Haider told Dawn.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan condemned the deadly attack on the mosque and ordered efforts to provide immediate medical aid for the wounded. (With inputs from agencies.)