Explosion occurred as worshippers gathered on the Kucha Risaldar mosque in Peshawar’s outdated metropolis for Friday prayers.
A robust bomb exploded inside a Shia mosque in Pakistan’s northwestern metropolis of Peshawar on Friday, killing greater than 30 worshippers and wounding dozens extra, lots of them critically.
The explosion occurred as worshippers had collected within the Kucha Risaldar mosque in Peshawar’s outdated metropolis for Friday prayers.
Peshawar police Chief Muhammed Ejaz Khan mentioned the violence began when two armed attackers opened fireplace on police outdoors the mosque.
One assailant and one policeman have been killed within the gunfight, and one other policeman was wounded. The remaining attacker then contained in the mosque and detonated a bomb.
Ambulances rushed by congested slim streets carrying the wounded to Girl Studying Hospital, the place docs labored feverishly. Nobody instantly claimed duty.
Greater than 60 individuals have been injured and the dying toll could rise, mentioned hospital spokesman Mohamed Asim.
“We’re in a state of emergency and the injured are being shifted to the hospital. We’re investigating the character of the blast but it surely appeared to a suicide assault,” police officer Mohammad Sajjad Khan mentioned.
Related assaults have occurred in Peshawar – 190km (120 miles) west of the capital Islamabad – positioned close to the border with neighbouring Afghanistan.
Shayan Haider, a witness, had been making ready to enter the mosque when the highly effective explosion threw him to the road.
“I opened my eyes and there was mud and our bodies in every single place,” he mentioned.
On the Girl Studying Hospital Emergency division, there was chaos as docs struggled to maneuver the various wounded into working theatres.
“I noticed a person firing at two policemen earlier than he entered the mosque. Seconds later I heard a giant bang,” mentioned witness Zahid Khan.
Prime Minister Imran Khan condemned the bombing.
In current months Pakistan has skilled a rise of violence. Dozens of army personnel have been killed in scores of assaults on military outposts alongside the border with Afghanistan.