PESHAWAR: At least 44 people were martyred and more than 157 were injured after a suicide bomber blew himself up at a mosque in Peshawar’s Police Lines during afternoon prayers on Monday, security and health officials said.
Security officials, confirming that it was a suicide attack, said the bomber was standing in the front row at the time of the explosion.
Confirming the number of casualties, CCPO Mohammad Aijaz said some victims were still trapped under the rubble, adding that the roof and part of the mosque’s wall collapsed following the explosion.
A spokesperson for Peshawar’s Lady Reading Hospital, Mohammad Asim, confirmed that dozens of injured have been brought to the medical facility.
He added that the injured included police officials. “Some of the injured are in critical condition but most are stable,” said the hospital spokesperson, adding that more injured are being shifted to the hospital. The hospital also issued an appeal for blood donations.
Following the bombing, the provincial health department declared an emergency in district Peshawar and asked all medical personnel to remain on duty.
Law enforcement agencies cordoned off the attack site and have started an initial investigation. The GT Road near Bala Hisar was also closed to traffic.
PM Shehbaz departs for Peshawar
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said he and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had departed for Peshawar where the premier “will be briefed on all aspects of the blast”.
The interior minister added that the prime minister would also visit the injured in the hospital.
The minister further stated that the blast would be investigated “from all angles” and the Centre would facilitate the provincial K-P government.
High alert in Islamabad
Following the suicide bombing in Peshawar, a high alert was also declared in the federal capital.
Islamabad IG Dr Akbar Nasir Khan ordered the increase in security, said a tweet from the capital police’s official Twitter handle.
It added that security at all entry and exit points of the city has been increased, including strict monitoring through the Safe City system.
The police said “snipers” had been deployed to “important points and buildings” to enhance security.
Condemnations
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the suicide attack and stated that the brutal killing of Muslims prostrating before Allah (S.W.T) was against the teachings of the Holy Quran.
The premier added that targeting a place of worship demonstrated that the attackers had nothing to do with religion and added that terrorists wanted to create fear by targeting those who defend Pakistan.
PM Shehbaz stated that those who fought against Pakistan would be ‘erased from the page’ and would serve as a lesson to those who shed the unjust blood of citizens.
He furthered that the entire nation and its institutions were united to end terrorism and that the country saluted its martyrs.
“A comprehensive strategy will be adopted on the deteriorating law and order situation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa,” Shehbaz said, adding that the federation would cooperate in increasing the anti-terrorism capacity of the province.
The premier further stated that the federal interior minister was instructed to provide assistance in increasing the capacity of the counter-terrorism department of the provinces, especially Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Shehbaz also prayed for the elevation of martyrs’ ranks, patience for their families, and for the speedy recovery of the injured.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan strongly condemned the attack on the Police Lines mosque
The former premier said that it is “imperative” that the country improves its “intelligence gathering and properly equip police forces to combat” the growing threat of terrorism.
He also expressed condolences with the families of those killed and injured.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman strongly condemned the attack and said that attacking a sacred place during worship was the “height of brutality”.
He maintained that the nation should fight conspiratorial elements with mutual unity and agreement.
Fazl also prayed for the forgiveness of the martyrs and for the recovery of the injured.
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Amir Sirajul Haq also condemned the brutal attack, saying terrorism in Peshawar is highly condemnable.
“Innocent blood is being shed in the country, mosques are being targeted, but government is nowhere to be found. In the power grab, people have been left at the mercy of terrorists. Protection of life and property, let alone any relief, what purpose does such a government have?” he tweeted.
PTI cancels protest
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf canceled its protest against inflation which was scheduled to take place in Peshawar outside the Governor House. Former minister Sher Ali urged party workers to not come to the protest.
The party also condemned the attack, calling it “most unfortunate”. PTI leader Shaukat Yousafzai expressed his grief at the loss of precious lives, adding that security agencies made great sacrifices to restore law and order.
A spokesperson for the PTI instructed party workers to donate blood to the injured and urged the caretaker government in the K-P to take effective measures for the treatment of the injured.
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