Suicide bomber martyrs 25, wounds scores in Peshawar mosque

Peshawar: A suicide bomber struck Monday inside a mosque in Peshawar's Police Lines area, martyring at least 28 people and wounding as many as 122 worshippers, GNN reported.

The blast happened at about 13:40 local time inside a mosque where a large number of people had gathered for Zuhr prayer. 

Reportedly, the bomber detonated his suicide vest in the first row of the congregational prayer as some 150 worshipers — including policemen — were praying inside.

"A portion of the building had collapsed and several people are believed to be under it," said an official. 

After getting information, a heavy contingent of police rushed to the spot and cordoned off the area. 

An emergency has been imposed at hospitals across the city. 

The injured are being shifted to the Lady Reading Hospital of Peshawar.

Among the injured, several are in critical condition, said hospital sources.

Footages and images aired on local broadcasters and social media showed rescue workers carrying injured and dead on stretchers and shifting them into the honking ambulances. 

Blood-soaked pieces of clothes, caps, shoes and broken glasses, and wood were strewn in the mosque's main prayer hall, courtyard, and outside the building.

As per eyewitnesses, there was black smoke and the noise was so strong, almost deafening. The blast was so huge that it caused the mosque roof to collapse, besides shattering window panes and doors of nearby buildings.

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Notably, the explosion occurred in a high-security area where only authorized citizens can enter after going through several police check posts.