Suicide attack on Peshawar mosque during Friday prayers kills 30 worshippers, injures over 50

PESHAWAR: At least 30 worshipers have lost their lives and more than 50 have been injured in a suicide bomb attack during Friday prayers at a mosque in Qissa Khwani bazaar in the Kocha Risaldar area of Peshawar on Friday, police and rescue workers told.

The rescue teams have rushed the injured to Lady Reading Hospital, while residents and people of the neighbourhood also helped in transporting the injured on their motorcycles and cars.

Prime Minister Imran Khan, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed, and other political leaders condemned the blast.

Police and security teams have cordoned off the area and started to collect evidence.

‘Suicide attack’

In a statement to the media, Advisor to KP Chief Minister Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif said that the explosion took place during Friday prayers.

“Reportedly the terrorists first tried to enter the mosque where they exchanged fire with the police,” said Barrister Saif.

He said that a terrorist managed to enter the mosque and carried out the attack.

Speaking to a private news channel, Peshawar Central City Police Officer (CCPO) Muhammad Aijaz seconded the special assistant’s statement, saying that two terrorists tried to enter the mosque and opened fire at the on-duty cops.

Moreover, Peshawar SSP Operations Haroon Al-Rasheed also said that the explosion seemed to be a suicide attack.

He said that both the on-duty cops were martyred by the terrorist’s fire.

Suicide bomber blew himself up in front of pulpit: eyewitness

An eyewitness identified a person as dressed in black as the suicide bomber, saying he entered the mosque, shot and killed the security guard first and then fired five to six bullets.

“After that, he quickly entered the [mosque’s] main hall and blew himself up in front of the pulpit. Following this, there were bodies and injured people lying everywhere,” the eyewitness told Geo News.

“The hall was filled with people; they were on the bottom and top floors; the incident took place at 12:55pm,” he said.

He said 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.

The man claimed recently a hand grenade attack targeted a house in the area, after which residents had urged the authorities to beef up security. “But still, it did not happen […] the security has been reduced.”

Foreign forces want to destroy Pakistan’s peace: Sheikh Rasheed

Reacting to the blast, Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad said that there was no threat alert issued for the attack.

Rasheed termed the attack “a bid to destablise Pakistan under a planned conspiracy.”

He said that some foreign forces are trying to ruin the peace in Pakistan.

Taking to Twitter, he condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with the families of the deceased and injured.

He said that he has sought a report from the KP IG.

Moreover, Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Quddus Bizenjo also issued a statement. “We stand with the aggrieved families. The sacrifices of the nation and security agencies are unforgettable,” he said.

PM Imran Khan, politicians condemn Peshawar blast

Prime Minister Imran Khan condemned the deadly attack on the mosque and ordered efforts to provide immediate medical aid for the wounded.

The premier also sought a report on the blast from the authorities concerned.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan, too, condemned the blast and sought a report from the KP inspector-general of police.

The chief minister instructed the rescue workers to speed up the rescue operation and ordered provincial cabinet members to monitor the operations.

Former president of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz, JUI-F President Maulana Fazlur Rehman we’re among the others who condemned the unfortunate incident.

“Terrorists are the enemy of the country and nation, which have to be crushed,” Zardari said while praying for the quick recovery of the injured.

Fazl, in his condolence message, demanded immediate medical aid for the wounded.

Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Quddus Bizenjo also issued a statement. “We stand with the aggrieved families. The sacrifices of the nation and security agencies are unforgettable,” he said.

KP CM calls meeting on security

Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has called a meeting on security at 5pm today.

Related officials said that the KP IGP, chief secretary, home secretary and other provincial officials will attend the meeting to discuss the peace and security situation in Peshawar.