Officials announced that a bomb inside a mosque in Peshawar’s Police Lines area on Monday afternoon resulted in at least 17 deaths and 83 injuries.
A spokesman for the Lady Reading Hospital (LRC), Mohammad Asim, confirmed the deaths and said several of the injured people were in severe condition.
Zuhr prayers were being offered when the explosion occurred at about 1:40 pm, according to a reporter on the scene. He stated that members of the army, police, and bomb squads were present inside the mosque.
According to the reporter, a section of the building fell, and many individuals, particularly those who were in the front row during the prayers, were thought to be under it.
It is now unknown if a bomb was deliberately placed inside the mosque or if a suicide attack occurred.
On the other hand, the Red Zone access roads have been closed by the police.
In a tweet after the blast was reported, PTI Chairman Imran Khan strongly condemned the “terrorist suicide attack” in Peshawar and expressed sympathies with the families of the victims.
He added, “It is imperative we improve our intelligence gathering & properly equip our police forces to combat the growing threat of terrorism,”
The most significant recent incidence of this kind occurred in Peshawar last year when a suicide bomber detonated himself inside a Shia mosque in the Kocha Risaldar neighborhood, leaving 63 people dead.
Security high-alert in Islamabad
Islamabad Inspector General Dr. Akbar Nasir Khan issued directions for a “security high-alert” to be placed in the capital, a tweet by Islamabad Police said.
According to the report, security has been stepped up at all points of entry and exit into the city, and “Safe City” system monitoring has been implemented.
Snipers had been stationed at “important points and buildings” the police continued, and they had access to thermal imaging equipment.
