At least 32 people were killed and more than 147 injured, including 20 officials and other police personnel, in a blast at a mosque along police lines in Peshawar.
The explosion took place at a time when worshipers were gathering in the mosque for Asr prayers. Eyewitnesses and authorities said that at least 200 people were inside the mosque at the time of the incident.
The explosion was so powerful that the windows of nearby buildings were shattered and the blast was heard even in relatively distant areas. Due to this, the front part of the mosque and a part of the roof also collapsed.
An AFP reporter saw bloodied survivors limping from the wreckage as bodies were carried away in ambulances.
That meant officials feared the number could rise.
Rescue workers and ambulances rushed to the spot. He said that he shifted the injured to nearby Lady Reading Hospital and Khyber Teaching Hospital.
Heavy machinery was called in to clear the debris as fire crews combed for survivors.
LRH spokesperson Muhammad Asim said that he has confirmed that 17 dead bodies and around 70 injured have been brought to the hospital.
He added that the condition of 10 of the injured is critical and they are currently undergoing treatment in the operation theatre.
Asim, however, could not comment on the nature of the injuries sustained by the injured at this time.
Meanwhile, Peshawar Deputy Commissioner Riyaz Mehsud said that they have shifted the bodies of 28 people and 150 injured to various hospitals in the city, including LRH, KTH and Hayatabad Medical Centre.
He added that many of the injured are in critical condition and the number of dead and injured may rise as many people are believed to be buried under the rubble of the mosque.
He, however, did not divulge the nature of the blast, saying the police were still investigating the matter.
This area is located in the most secure area of Peshawar with Police Secretariat and PTCL Colony nearby.
People have to cross several police check posts to access the area. As there is no commercial area within the police lines, only those with authorized access can enter the area.
People may be buried under debris.
Jamaat-e-Islami parliamentary leader Inayatullah said he feared more people were trapped under the rubble of the collapsed part of the mosque.
He clarified that he still did not know how many people were buried under the debris, adding that they were trying to evacuate all the people buried under the debris.
Pakistan Army troops have also reached the spot for assistance.
This was also confirmed by Deputy Commissioner Riyaz Mehsud.
What caused the explosion?
While police and other authorities have yet to offer an official explanation on what caused the explosion, Inayatullah suggested that it could be a suicide blast.
They said they could smell burning explosives inside the mosque, while officials were discussing whether it was a possible suicide bombing.
While the police say nothing can be said until the debris is removed and investigations are completed, Federal Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said it was a possible suicide attack.
The bomb disposal teams are investigating the possibility of a suicide attack, officials said.
Eyewitnesses pointed out security lapses.
An eyewitness told JEE News that ‘people were inside the mosque for prayers, I was also going to the mosque when the explosion happened.
He added that immediately after the explosion, the entire area was covered in dust and smoke.
Another eyewitness, a police constable, said he was passing by the mosque when the explosion occurred.
He said he saw a part of the mosque collapse, where the worshiper stands.
He said that around 100 people could gather in that area but he did not know how many people were inside.
Asked about security, he said security outside the mosque was lax and people were checked at the entrance and then another officer was posted inside the mosque, he said.
Rising terrorism
Since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan, Islamabad has accused them of failing to secure their mountainous border, allowing fighters to flee back and forth to carry out attacks and avoid capture.
According to the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS), during the first 12 months of the Taliban rule in Afghanistan, Pakistan saw a 50 percent increase in militant attacks, which were concentrated in the western border provinces.
The Islamic State attacker in Peshawar in March 2022 was an Afghan exile who had returned home to train for the attack, detectives said.
Condemnations pour in
PM Shehbaz strongly condemned the blast, adding that the blast inside a mosque proves that those involved in the attack have “nothing to do with Islam.”
“These terrorists are trying to instil fear by targeting those who perform the duty of defending Pakistan,” he said, assuring the people that the coalition government will take strict action against those involved.
I strongly condemn the heinous & cowardly blast that has taken place in Peshawar mosque. The perpetrators will be found and punished.
— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) January 30, 2023
إنا لله وإنا إليه راجعون
Condolences to families who have lost an innocent member & prayers for injured. Terrorism must be buried forever.
Speaking to JEE News, Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif revealed that the roof collapsed due to the intensity of the explosion, and the hospitals were in chaos.
He said the police had been targeted, stressing that the counter-terrorism machinery needed to be reactivated first.
Asif assured the public that law and order situation will be restored in KP as steps are being taken.
The Defense Minister said that despite receiving threats, people cannot be stopped from entering the mosque. He revealed that no one has yet claimed responsibility for the incident.
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said suicide attacks were the “worst form” of terrorism.
پشاور پولیس لائینز کی مسجد میں خود کش دھماکہ بدترین دہشت گردی ہے۔ ایسے سفاکانہ اور بزدلانہ حملوں کا مقصد قوم کے دہشتگردی کیخلاف عزم کو کمزور کرنا ہے مگر یہ عزم ہر خون کے بہتے قطرے اور شہادت سے مذید مظبوط ہو گا۔
— Ahsan Iqbal (@betterpakistan) January 30, 2023
The Minister said that such barbaric and cowardly attacks are aimed at weakening the nation’s resolve against terrorism, but this resolve will be strengthened with every drop of blood and martyrdom.
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari condemned the incident and said that strict action will be taken against the terrorists, their supporters and facilitators.
نیشنل ایکشن پلان ہی دہشتگردوں کا علاج ہے اس پر سختی سے عمل کیا جائے گا، بلاول بھٹو زرداری
— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) January 30, 2023
پیپلزپارٹی کے کارکن اور عہدے دار خون کے عطیات دیکر زخمیوں کی جان بچائیں ، بلاول بھٹو زرداری
He added that incidents of terrorism ahead of general and by-elections are “significant”.
PTI Chairman Imran Khan also condemned the suicide attack on Twitter.
Strongly condemn the terrorist suicide attack in police lines mosque Peshawar during prayers. My prayers & condolences go to victims families. It is imperative we improve our intelligence gathering & properly equip our police forces to combat the growing threat of terrorism.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) January 30, 2023
“My prayers and condolences go out to the families of the victims. It is imperative that we improve our intelligence and adequately equip our police forces to deal with the growing threat of terrorism,” Khan said.
Former president and co-chairman of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Asif Ali Zardari condemned the incident and said that it is “extremely dangerous” for terrorists to be active in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
ضمنی اور عام انتخابات سے قبل دہشتگردی کی وارداتیں باعث تشویش ہیں، آصف زرداری
— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) January 30, 2023
وفاقی اور صوبائی نگران حکومت دہشتگردوں کے منصوبہ سازوں اور
سہولت کاروں کو قانون کی گرفت میں لائے ،آصف زرداری
He said that the government should eliminate the nurseries of terrorism by following the National Action Plan.
Former provincial chief minister Mehmood Khan strongly condemned the incident and said that the blast was “heartbreaking”.
“The loss of lives is extremely sad,” Khan said, praying for the speedy recovery of the martyrs and the injured.
Islamabad on alert
Inspector General of Islamabad Dr Akbar Nasir Khan issued orders to put security on high alert in the federal capital.
اسلام آباد کیپیٹل پولیس تھرمل امیجنگ کی صلاحیت سے لیس ہے۔
— Islamabad Police (@ICT_Police) January 30, 2023
شہری دوران سفر اپنے شناختی دستاویزات ہمراہ رکھیں۔
شہری دوران چیکنگ پولیس کے ساتھ تعاون کریں۔
Moreover, checking has been increased at all the entry and exit points in the city while monitoring is being done by Safe City Capital Command and Control Centre Islamabad.
Snipers have also been deployed at important ports and buildings.
This is a developing story and is being updated with more details.
