AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): A suicide bomber has struck inside a mosque in the north-western Pakistani city of Peshawar, killing at least 56 people and wounding another 150.
No one immediately claimed responsibility for the bombing but the Pakistani Taliban have been blamed in similar suicide attacks.
The assailant detonated the bomb as 200 worshipers – including many police officers from nearby offices – were praying. The impact of the explosion collapsed the roof of the mosque and injured many, said Zafar Khan, a local police officer.
Meena Gul, a police officer, said he was inside the mosque when the bomb went off. He said he did not know how he survived unhurt. Gul could hear cries and screams after the explosion.
Rescuers scrambled to remove mounds of debris from the mosque grounds and get to worshippers trapped under the rubble, police said. Khan said several of the wounded were in critical condition at a hospital and there were fears the death toll would rise.
The Pakistani prime minister, Shahbaz Sharif, condemned the bombing and ordered authorities to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the survivors. He also vowed “stern action” against the perpetrators.
Former prime minister Imran Khan called the incident a “terrorist suicide attack” in a Twitter post. “My prayers & condolences go to victims' families,” said Khan. “It is imperative we improve our intelligence gathering & properly equip our police forces to combat the growing threat of terrorism.”
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