AT least 47 people were killed and 150 were injured after a suicide bomber detonated his vest inside a mosque in Pakistan.
The explosion caused the building’s roof to collapse as hundreds of worshipers including many policemen from nearby police offices were praying inside.
4At least 28 people were killed in the explosion on MondayCredit: AFP
4The explosion happened in the city of PeshawarCredit: AFP
4More victims are feared to be trapped under the rubbleCredit: EPAThe blast happened today during afternoon prayers in the north-western city of Peshawar near the border with Afghanistan.
Police official Sikandar Khan said there were at least 260 people inside the mosque.
“A portion of the building had collapsed and several people are believed to be under it,” he added.
No one has yet claimed responsibility for the strike.
Muhammad Asim Khan, a spokesman for the main hospital in Peshawar, said: “It’s an emergency situation.”
He added that several of those wounded were in critical condition amid fears the death toll would rise.
Rescuers scrambled trying to remove mounds of debris from the mosque grounds and get to worshippers still trapped under the rubble, police said.
A survivor, 38-year-old police officer Meena Gul, said he was inside the mosque when the bomb went off adding he could hear cries and screams after the bomb exploded.
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif in a statement condemned the bombing and ordered authorities to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the victims.
He also vowed stern action against those who were behind the attack.
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan tweeted: “My prayers and condolences go to victims’ families.
“It is imperative we improve our intelligence gathering and properly equip our police forces to combat the growing threat of terrorism.”
Peshwar, which sits at the edge of Pakistan’s tribal districts bordering Afghanistan, is frequently targeted by militant groups including the Pakistani Taliban.
The group, known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), are a close ally of the Afghan Taliban that took over Afghanistan in August 2021.
4Many of those in the hospital are said to be in critical conditionCredit: EPA
Story Credit: thesun.co.uk