Around 150 worshipers were injured. In the Peshawar mosque blast and the death toll is expected to rise.
PESHAWAR, Pakistan – A suicide bombing inside a mosque. Inside a police compound in the northwestern. Pakistani city of Peshawar killed at least 28 people. And injured nearly 150 worshipers. Most of them policemen, on Monday, officials said.
The bombing drew nationwide condemnation from opposition political parties and government officials. Ghulam Ali, the provincial governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Where Peshawar is the capital, said the death toll was feared to rise.
Most of the casualties were police officers. As the targeted mosque is located within a sprawling compound. That also serves as the city’s police headquarters. Police said between 300 and 350 worshipers were inside. The mosque when the bomber detonated his explosives.
No one immediately claimed responsibility for the bombing. Said Saddiq Khan, a senior police officer in Peshawar. But similar suicide attacks have been blamed on the Pakistani Taliban in the past.
The police compound is located in a high-security zone. in Peshawar, with several government buildings. And it was unclear how the bomber managed to get so deep inside the area undetected.
According to local police officer Zafar Khan. The roof of the mosque collapsed due to the blast and injured many. A survivor, 38-year-old police officer Meena Gul. Said she was inside the mosque when the bomb exploded. He said he did not know how he survived unharmed. He heard screams and shouts after the bomb went off, Gull said.
Police said rescuers were trying to remove mounds of debris from the mosque grounds. And reach worshipers trapped under the rubble. At a nearby hospital, the condition of many. Of the injured was listed as critical as the number of casualties rose.
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif in a statement condemned the bombings. And directed the authorities to ensure the best possible treatment to the victims. He also promised to take ‘stern action’ against those behind the attack.
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan also condemned. the bombing and called it a “terrorist suicide attack” in a Twitter post. “My prayers and condolences go out to the families of the victims,” the former prime minister said. “Improving our intelligence gathering and properly equipping. Our police force is essential to countering the growing threat of terrorism.” Peshawar is often the scene of militant attacks. The Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP. Is separate from but closely allied. To the Afghan Taliban, which seized power in neighboring Afghanistan. In August 2021 as US and NATO troops were in the final stages of their withdrawal. The country after 20 years of war.
The TTP has waged an insurgency in Pakistan for the past 15 years,. fighting for stricter application of Islamic law in the country. the release of its members who are in government custody. and a reduction in Pakistani military presence in the country’s former tribal areas.
Militant attacks in Pakistan have increased since November. after the Pakistani Taliban ended their ceasefire with government forces. The ceasefire ended as Pakistan was still grappling with. last summer’s unprecedented floods that killed 1,739 people. destroyed more than 2 million homes and at one point submerged as much as a third of the country. Total damage from the floods is more than $30 billion and authorities are now, months later. still struggling to provide tents, shelter and food for survivors.
Cash-strapped Pakistan is also currently facing its worst economic crisis. and is seeking a crucial installment of $1.1 billion from the International Monetary Fund. part of its $6 billion bailout package – to avoid default. Talks with the IMF on reviving the bailout have stalled in recent months.
Sharif’s government came to power after Imran Khan was ousted. in a no-confidence vote in Parliament last April. Khan has since campaigned for early elections. claiming his ouster was illegal and part of a US-backed plot. Washington also rejected Sharif Khan’s demands.
