A deadly blast took place in a mosque located in Peshawar’s Police Lines area on Monday, killing at least 28 people and injuring 150 others, according to officials. The police, army and bomb disposal squad personnel were present inside the mosque as Zuhr prayers were being offered.
A portion of the building has collapsed and rescuers are trying to pull out those who are believed to be trapped under the rubble. The smell of explosives has been detected but it is too early to say what caused the blast. The police have closed the roads leading to the Red Zone and it is unclear whether the incident was a bomb attack or a suicide attack. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.
In a statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack and paid tribute to the martyrs. He promised that their sacrifices would not be in vain and said that the entire nation is united against the menace of terrorism. He also mentioned that a comprehensive strategy will be adopted to counter the deteriorating law and order situation in the region and the federal government will help the provinces in increasing their anti-terrorism capacity.
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also condemned the attack and said that it was meaningful given the upcoming local and general elections. He stressed that the National Action Plan was the only solution to the issue of terrorism and promised to implement it strictly. He also called for party workers and position-holders to donate blood to help save the lives of the injured.
PTI Chairman Imran Khan also condemned the attack and expressed sympathy with the families of the victims. He emphasized the need to improve intelligence gathering and to properly equip the police forces to combat the growing threat of terrorism.
Former human rights minister Shireen Mazari criticized the bomber’s access to a central area of the provincial capital and said that the police need better resources, including equipment, to be effective in their role as the front line defenders against terrorism.
In light of the attack, the Islamabad Inspector General issued a security high-alert in the capital. The police have increased security at all entry and exit points of the city and are monitoring it through the Safe City system. Snipers have been placed at important points and buildings and the police have been provided with thermal imaging facilities.
The attack on the mosque in Peshawar’s Police Lines area has left the city in mourning, with at least 28 people killed and 150 injured. The authorities have declared an emergency at the local hospitals, with a number of the injured being in critical condition. The cause of the blast is still under investigation, with early reports suggesting a security lapse occurred.
The political leaders have condemned the attack, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif promising to adopt a comprehensive strategy to counter the deteriorating law and order situation. The incident serves as a painful reminder of the ongoing fight against terrorism in Pakistan and the need for better intelligence gathering and improved resources for the police forces.
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