AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): Pakistani Shiites held a protest demonstration across the country on Friday to express their anger against the deadly suicide attack on a Shiite Mosque in north western city of Peshawar.
The devastating attack has been widely condemned at all levels which killed 56 people and injuring 194 others during Friday prayers in busy area of Peshawar.
Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan and Secretary General of Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) Allama Raja Nasir Abbas Jaffri have also strongly condemned the blast.
Meanwhile, protest demonstrations were held outside press clubs in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Quetta and Peshawar to condemn the attack.
Shiites account for 20 percent of the Muslim population in Pakistan and the country is home to the second largest Shiites population after Iran.
In past Shiites have become victim of deadly attacks in north and south western parts of Pakistan forcing them to hold large protest demonstrations.
In a statement to the media, Advisor to Chief Minister Khyber Pakhunkhwa Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif confirmed that the explosion took place during Friday prayers.
“Reportedly the terrorists first tried to enter the mosque where they exchanged fire with the police,” said Barrister Saif.
He said that a terrorist managed to enter the mosque and carried out the attack.
An eyewitness identified a person dressed in black as the suicide bomber, saying he entered the mosque, shot and killed the security guard first, and then fired five to six bullets.
"After that, he quickly entered the [mosque's] main hall and blew himself up in front of the pulpit. Following this, there were bodies and injured people lying everywhere," the eyewitness told media.
Reacting to the blast, Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad said that there was no threat alert issued for the attack.
Rasheed termed the attack "a bid to destabilize Pakistan under a planned conspiracy."
He said that some foreign forces are trying to ruin the peace in Pakistan.
No group has so claimed responsibility of the deadly attack.
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