Pakistan: Blast rocks mosque in Peshawar; 28 dead, 150+ injured
What's the story
At least 28 people were killed and 150 others were injured after a suicide bomber reportedly blew himself up at a mosque in Pakistan's northwestern Peshawar city on Monday. Reports said the explosion occurred at around 1:40 pm (local time) as people gathered for the Zuhr prayers. Around 260 people were inside the mosque when the incident occurred, police officer Sikandar Khan told Reuters.
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More details on blast at Peshawar mosque
As per security personnel, the suicide bomber was reportedly present in the front row during the prayers at the mosque when he blew himself up. Officials said that injured persons were being shifted to Peshawar's Lady Reading Hospital, reported Geo News. A hospital spokesperson earlier told Reuters that the condition of many injured individuals was critical.
Mosque
Mosque located near police housing block
Located in the Peshawar Police Lines area near a police housing block, the mosque is situated inside a compound that houses the provincial police force headquarters and a counter-terrorism unit, as per Peshawar police chief Ijaz Khan. Meanwhile, Peshawar Commissioner Riaz Mehsood told Dawn, "An emergency has been imposed at hospitals across the city and injured persons are being provided the best medical facilities."
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Terrorists want to create fear: PM Sharif
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly denounced the blast in a statement issued on Monday. He said, "Terrorists want to create fear by targeting those who perform the duty of defending Pakistan. The entire nation is standing united against the menace of terrorism."
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Visuals from the blast site
⚡ Pakistan: Blast inside the Mosque near most secured Police Lines in Peshawar.
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) January 30, 2023
One side of the mosque has collapsed.
More than 50 injured. Death numbers not known yet. Emergency declared in nearby hospitals pic.twitter.com/F9VF5a3a4d
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Imran Khan reacts to blast in Peshawar
Following the blast, Peshawar authorities have imposed an emergency near the site, and the area has also been cordoned off. Meanwhile, former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan condemned the "terrorist suicide attack" in Peshawar in a long post on Twitter and expressed his sympathy for the families of the victims.
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Imran Khan's tweet on the blast
Strongly condemn the terrorist suicide attack in police lines mosque Peshawar during prayers. My prayers condolences go to victims families. It is imperative we improve our intelligence gathering properly equip our police forces to combat the growing threat of terrorism.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) January 30, 2023
Capital
Security upped in Islamabad too
Meanwhile, Dr. Akbar Nasir Khan, the Inspector General of Islamabad, has issued orders for the country's capital to be placed on a "security high alert" as well A tweet by the Islamabad Police said security at the city's exit and entry points was ramped up, and monitoring was underway via the "Safe City" system. Furthermore, the cops have been provided with thermal imaging equipment.
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Tweet by Islamabad Police
اسلام آباد کیپیٹل پولیس تھرمل امیجنگ کی صلاحیت سے لیس ہے۔
— Islamabad Police (@ICT_Police) January 30, 2023
شہری دوران سفر اپنے شناختی دستاویزات ہمراہ رکھیں۔
شہری دوران چیکنگ پولیس کے ساتھ تعاون کریں۔