PESHAWAR: According to reports, numerous persons were hurt when a loud blast was heard inside a mosque on Monday in the vicinity of the police lines in Peshawar.
An explosion occurred at a mosque in the middle of police lines. The explosion injured numerous persons. They were transported to Lady Reading Hospital for treatment.
Rescue sources report that the sound of the explosion was so powerful that it could be heard from great distance. The explosion caused a significant impact. Gunshots could also be heard after the explosion.
The statement added that the deadly bomb that tore through the mosque left two police officers dead.
The suicide bomber was standing in the front row when the explosion occurred, according to rescue personnel.
They claimed that the explosion was so powerful that it could be heard from a great distance, and that bullets were also heard following the explosion.
Security authorities added that the attack seemed to be a suicide bombing based on the initial assessment.
However, It was discovered that section of structure had collapsed, and it is thought that several individuals are underneath it.
Eyewitness Testimony
An eyewitness claimed to have been on his way to the mosque when the explosion happened.
“There was a large explosion. After the explosion, there was smoke everywhere, the witness claimed. When he awoke, he continued, he watched the mosque’s roof crumble.
“At least 120 individuals were present in the mosque when the tragedy occurred. The bomber was inside the mosque’s inner courtyard, hence it was a suicide attack. It occurred while the Zohr prayers were beginning. The injured were primarily police officers, the eyewitness recounted.
In the meantime, Tassavur Iqbal, the president of the Civil Secretariat Association Peshawar, who frequently attends prayers at the mosque, claimed that the Police Lines area’s security is constantly high and that nobody is allowed to enter without presenting their identity and undergoing a body search.
however, “This tragic tragedy happened today in this location. 400 to 500 people can pray at once in this large mosque. The building collapsed following the explosion “Iqbal remarked.
Medical facilities are on high alert.
In the wake of the bombing at the Police Lines in Peshawar, the provincial health department declared a “medical emergency” in the city.
The notification in this respect stated that “all doctors and support staff at government health facilities, including MTIs in district Peshawar, are asked to remain on red alert to handle emergencies, till further orders.”
Condemnations flood in
Imran Khan, chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, strongly condemned the terrorist suicide attack and stated: “It is essential we increase our information gathering [and] adequately equip our police forces to face the growing menace of terrorism.”
The relatives of the victims were given the former prime minister’s prayers and condolences.
Condemning the event, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari promised that the terrorists, their financiers, and facilitators will face harsh punishment.
Terrorist attacks ahead of general and by-election elections are “significant,” he continued.
Ahsan Iqbal, the federal minister for planning and development, referred to the assault as “worst terrorism.”
The minister declared on his Twitter account that the nation’s will to fight terrorism would be increased by every drop of blood and martyrdom, notwithstanding the brutality and cowardliness of the attacks.
Asif Ali Zardari, a former president and co-chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), denounced the incident and referred to the terrorists’ presence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as “very dangerous.”
According to him, the government should implement the national action plan to put an end to the terrorism’s breeding grounds.
Mahmood Khan, a former province chief minister, called the explosion “heartbreaking.”
Khan prayed for the martyrs and the quick recovery of the injured as he remarked, “The loss of lives is tremendously upsetting.”
PML-N leader Hamza Shahbaz described the Peshawar explosion as the “worst act of terrorism” and stated that recent terrorism occurrences and the deteriorating law and order situation in KP were both very concerning.
He prayed for the wounded to heal quickly, for martyrs to achieve great heights, and for those who had lost loved ones to have patience.
High security alert in Islamabad
Inspector-General of Islamabad Dr. Akbar Nasir Khan gave the order to increase security in the federal capital after the explosion in Peshawar.
Additionally, while being monitored by the Safe City Capital Command and Control Centre Islamabad, checking has been strengthened at all city entry and departure points.
Additionally, snipers have been stationed at significant ports and structures.
This is a Developing story and will be updated accordingly