PESHAWAR: Fifty-nine people were martyred and more than 157 others suffered injuries as blast ripped through Police Lines Masjid here.

Security officials said explosion took place around 1:40pm as Zuhr prayers were being offered as result of which roof of masjid caved in. Blast said to be perpetrated by suicide bomber took place where large number of people gathered for prayer, police official Sikandar Khan said. “A portion of building had collapsed and several people are believed to be under it,” Khan added. 

مسلم لیگ (ن) کے کارکنوں کو ہدایت کرتا ہوں کہ خودکش حملے میں زخمیوں کی جان بچانے کے لئے خون کے عطیات دیں، خاص طور پر 'او۔نیگیٹو' خون کے حامل عوام، طالب علم اور پارٹی کارکنان سے اپیل ہے کہ فی الفور لیڈی ریڈنگ ہسپتال، پشاور پہنچیں اور قیمتی انسانی جانیں بچانے میں اپنا حصہ ڈالیں۔

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) January 30, 2023

Police and rescuers shifted injured to Lady Reading Hospital and other health facilities. Authorities who are still assessing nature of blast, immediately cordoned off area.  Videos and pictures shared by social media users show horrific scenes as injured drenched in blood were shifted to medical centres for first aid. KP health department announced “Medical emergency” in wake of blast. 

While the pain of the grieving families cannot be described in words, I express my heartfelt condolences & most sincere sympathies. My message to the perpetrators of today's despicable incident is that you can't underestimate the resolve of our people. https://t.co/edUJ6SbP3M

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) January 30, 2023

“All doctors and support staff in government health facilities are directed to remain on red alert to cope with emergencies, till further orders,” says notification issued in this regard. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reached Peshawar hours after suicide attacker blew himself up inside masjid during Zuhr prayer at Police Lines.

پشاور میں دھماکہ۔

آئی جی اسلام آباد ڈاکٹر اکبر ناصر خاں نے اسلام آباد میں سکیورٹی ہائی الرٹ کے احکامات جاری کردئیے۔

تمام داخلی و خارجی راستوں پر چیکنگ بڑھا دی گئی۔

سیف سٹی کے ذریعے مانیٹرنگ کی جارہی ہے۔

اہم ناکہ جات اور عمارتوں پر سنائپرز تعینات کر دیے گئے ہیں۔⏬

— Islamabad Police (@ICT_Police) January 30, 2023

Sharif was accompanied by Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb and Minister for Interior Rana Sanaullah.

PM summoned an important meeting over law and order situation in province. He was given briefing on Peshawar blast. Authorities also presented an initial report on bombing incident.

PM Shehbaz Sharif also visited Lady Reading Hospital and inquired after injured. He condemned blast which, he said, proved that those involved in attack had “Nothing to do with Islam.” 

چیئرمین پیپلزپارٹی اور وزیر خارجہ بلاول بھٹو زرداری کی پشاور میں خودکش حملے کی مذمت

ضمنی اور عام انتخابات سے قبل دہشتگردی کے واقعات معنی خیز ہیں، بلاول بھٹو زرداری

دہشتگردوں ،ان کے سرپرستوں اور
سہولت کاروں کے خلاف سخت کاروائی ہوگی ، بلاول بھٹو زرداری @BBhuttoZardari

— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) January 30, 2023

“These terrorists are trying to instill fear by targeting those who perform duty of defending Pakistan,” he said, assuring people that coalition government would take strict action against those involved.

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari condemning incident said terrorists, their backers and facilitators would be given exemplary punishment. Terror incidents before general and by-elections were not without motive, he added.

Strongly condemn the horrendous terrorist incident in #Peshawar. Deeply saddened at loss of innocent lives; my heartfelt condolences to the affected families. Such cowardly acts will not deter our resolve against acts of terrorism in Pakistan.

— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) January 30, 2023

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said suicide attack was “Worst form” of terrorism. “Aim of such brutal and cowardly attacks is to weaken nation’s resolve against terrorism, but this resolve will be strengthened by every drop of blood and martyrdom,” said minister.  Soon after blast, PTI Chairman Imran Khan took to Twitter to condemn attack.

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.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) January 30, 2023

Appeal
PTI workers in Peshawar and adjoining areas are requested to reach LRH Peshawar for blood donations.

— Mahmood Khan (@IMMahmoodKhan) January 30, 2023

Asif Ali Zardari condemned attack and expressed concern over rising terrorism threat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said government should end nurseries of terrorism by following national action plan. Former provincial CM Mahmood Khan condemned incident, saying blast was very “Heartbreaking”.

“Loss of lives is extremely upsetting,” said Khan while praying for martyrs and for speedy recovery of injured.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 31 2023

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