PM Shehbaz condemns terrorist attack in Peshawar

Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Monday strongly condemned the terrorist attack in police lines mosque in Peshawar.

Prime Minister stated that the brutal killing of Muslims while prostrating before Allah is against the teachings of the Quran, adding that, “Targeting the house of Allah is proof that the attackers had nothing to do with Islam”.

The terrorists want to create panic by targeting those performing the duty of defending Pakistan, said Shehbaz.  

The premier added, “We will erase those from the core who are fighting against Pakistan and make a lesson for those who shed the blood of innocent people”.

Shehbaz further added that the entire nation and institutions are united to end terrorism, the entire nation pays its respects to the martyrs.

He said, “A comprehensive strategy will be adopted on the deteriorating law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” the center will cooperate in increasing the anti-terrorism capacity of the provinces, he assured.

Sharif instructed the federal Interior Minister to provide assistance in increasing the capacity of the counter-terrorism departments of the provinces, especially that of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Commiserating with the bereaved families, the Prime Minister also prayed the higher ranks of martyrs.

Today in the afternoon, a suicide bomber struck inside a mosque in Peshawar's Police Lines area, killing at least 28 people and wounding as many as 140 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.

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

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

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

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

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

As per eyewitnesses, there was black smoke and the noise was so strong, almost deafening.  The explosion was powerful enough to shatter window panes of nearby buildings.

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