Peshawar: A massive bomb explosion occurred on Monday in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province's Peshawar city in northwest Pakistan. The explosion happened during afternoon prayers. As per initial reports, 28 people have died and around 150 have been injured. As per initial reports, the “suicide attacker” blew himself up.
"A portion of the building had collapsed and several people are believed to be under it," police official Sikandar Khan said. The injured are being shifted to the Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar, the officials said.
An eyewitness said that there were at least 120 people in the mosque when the explosion took place. He said that the injured mostly included police personnel.
Former Pak PM condemns attack
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has condemned the terrorist suicide attack in a mosque in Peshawar. He called for improving intelligence and equipping police forces.
"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," Khan wrote in a tweet.
An emergency has been imposed in the locality and the area has been cordoned off. Suspicion in such attacks falls most often on the Pakistani Taliban, who have in the past claimed similar bombings.
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