- Safety officers says suicide attacker was current in entrance row throughout prayers when he exploded himself.
- Peshawar’s Woman Studying Hospital appeals residents to donate blood.
- Authorities busy in rescue operation.
PESHAWAR: A strong suicide blast inside a mosque in Peshawar’s Police Traces space on Monday martyred 32 individuals whereas 147 others had been injured, officers advised Geo Information.
Based on safety officers, the suicide attacker was current within the entrance row throughout the prayers when he exploded himself, injuring dozens of trustworthy providing Zohr prayers.
The outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had taken accountability of the assault.
Peshawar Commissioner Riaz Khan Mehsud mentioned that a minimum of 28 individuals had been martyred and 150 wounded within the blast.
The injured had been shifted to the Woman Studying Hospital of Peshawar. The hospital has appealed to the residents to donate blood for the victims.
Capital Metropolis Police Officer, Peshawar (CCPO) Ejaz Khan, whereas speaking to media, mentioned that it was too early to say something as many policemen are nonetheless trapped beneath the rubble.
“We’re at the moment targeted on the rescue operation. We can not say with surety however there’s a scent of explosives contained in the mosque,” mentioned the CCPO. He added that the situation has the headquarters of the Peshawar Police, CTD, FRP, Elite Pressure and telecommunications division.
“Near 300-400 policemen often supply prayers on the Zohr time. If a blast has taken place inside police strains then it’s a safety lapse however an investigation into the matter can reveal additional,” mentioned the CCPO.
Medical emergency declared
Caretaker Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Muhammad Azam Khan imposed a medical emergency in all hospitals of Peshawar. The interim CM additionally instructed rescue organisations to hurry up aid actions.
The CM has ordered to make sure quick measures to switch the injured to the hospital, directing the involved authorities to offer well timed medical help to the injured who’re being shifted to hospitals.
In the meantime, the provincial well being division had introduced a “medical emergency” within the metropolis within the wake of the Police Traces Peshawar bomb blast.
“All of the docs and help employees within the authorities well being amenities together with MTIs in district Peshawar are directed to stay on pink alert to deal with the emergencies, until additional orders,” the notification issued on this regard.
Eyewitness account
An eyewitness advised the media that he was going to the mosque when the explosion came about.
“It was a strong explosion. There was smoke in all places after the blast,” mentioned the eyewitness. He added that when bought aware he noticed the roof of the mosque collapsed.
“There have been a minimum of 120 individuals within the mosque when the incident came about. It was a suicide blast as a result of the bomber was contained in the mosque’s internal courtyard. The Zohr prayers had simply began when it occurred. There have been largely policemen among the many injured,” mentioned the eyewitness.
President of the Civil Secretariat Affiliation Peshawar Tassavur Iqbal, who commonly prays on the mosque, mentioned that the Police Traces space’s safety is all the time excessive and nobody can enter with out exhibiting their identification and physique search.
“That is an unlucky incident that came about right here as we speak. This can be a massive mosque and 400-500 individuals can supply prayers at a time. We’re listening to that the constructing collapsed after the blast,” mentioned Iqbal.
‘Bomber crossed two police checkposts’
Journalist Qaiser defined that the Police Traces is situated in Peshawar Cantt’s most delicate space the place a lot of legislation enforcement and FC personnel are current around the clock.
“The workplaces of KP’s Counter Terrorism Division (CTD) and police investigation division are located right here. Often, 1,000 police personnel are current on the police headquarters,” he added.
The journalist mentioned that with a purpose to go inside the realm one has to cease at two police verify posts.
“The bomber was capable of sneak inside after passing by checking 3 times,” mentioned the journalist.
Condemnations pour in
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the blast, including that the blast inside a mosque proves that these concerned within the assault have “nothing to do with Islam.”
“These terrorists try to instil worry by concentrating on those that carry out the responsibility of defending Pakistan,” he mentioned, assuring the people who the coalition authorities will take strict motion towards these concerned.
Talking to Geo Information, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif revealed that the roof fell because of the depth of blast, including that the hospitals have been overwhelmed.
He mentioned that the police have been focused, emphasising that the equipment that managed terrorism earlier than must be activated once more.
Asif assured the people who the legislation and order scenario in KP will probably be restored as measures are being taken.
The defence minister mentioned that despite the fact that they obtain threats, individuals can’t be stopped from getting into a mosque. He revealed that to this point nobody has claimed accountability for the incident.
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal mentioned that suicide assault was the “worst kind” of terrorism.
“The goal of such brutal and cowardly assaults is to weaken the nation’s resolve towards terrorism, however this resolve will probably be strengthened by each drop of blood and martyrdom,” mentioned the minister.
International Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, condemning the incident, mentioned that strict motion will probably be taken towards the terrorists, their backers and facilitators.
Terror incidents earlier than basic and by-elections are “significant”, he added.
PTI Chairman Imran Khan additionally took to Twitter to sentence the suicide assault.
“My prayers and condolences go to victims households. It’s crucial we enhance our intelligence gathering and correctly equip our police forces to fight the rising risk of terrorism,” mentioned Khan.
Former president and Pakistan Peoples Get together (PPP) Co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari condemned the incident, saying that the terrorists being lively in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is “extraordinarily harmful”.
He mentioned that the federal government ought to finish the nurseries of terrorism by following the nationwide motion plan.
Former provincial chief minister Mahmood Khan strongly condemned the incident, saying that the blast could be very “heartbreaking”.
“The lack of lives is extraordinarily upsetting,” mentioned Khan whereas praying for the martyrs and for the speedy restoration of the injured.
Inspector Common of Islamabad Dr Akbar Nasir Khan issued orders to place safety on excessive alert within the federal capital.
Furthermore, checking has been elevated in any respect the entry and exit factors within the metropolis whereas monitoring is being executed by Secure Metropolis Capital Command and Management Centre Islamabad.
Snipers have additionally been deployed at vital ports and buildings.
This can be a creating story and is being up to date with extra particulars.