New Delhi: At least 30 people were killed and dozens injured in a powerful blast on Friday inside a Shia mosque in Pakistan’s northwestern city of Peshawar.
The blast occurred at the Jamia Mosque in the historic Qissa Khawani bazaar area when worshippers were offering Friday prayers, the PTI reported. Pakistan’s Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid confirmed it was a suicide blast.
No group has claimed responsibility so far.
Muhammad Asim, media manager of Lady Reading Hospital, said 30 bodies had been brought to the hospital so far, according to Dawn. Officials said the condition of ten injured was critical.
Asim said: “We have declared an emergency in the hospital.”
Capital City Police Officer Peshawar Ijaz Ahsan said two attackers tried to enter the mosque and fired at police officers, who were standing guard. One policeman was killed while the other was critically injured, he said.
The blast occurred soon after the firing incident, he added.
One eyewitness told Pakistan’s Aaj News that a man in black clothes opened fire at the place of worship in the Koocha Risaldar area, and then detonated a suicide vest. The market area was crowded at that time.
Initial reports suggest that children and elderly were among those injured.
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has condemned the attack, and has demanded an immediate report on the security breach.
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