Peshawar bleeds as suicide attack death toll rises to 57

More than 190 people have been injured in a suicide attack in a mosque during Jumma prayers

At least 57 people were killed and nearly 195 others injured when a powerful suicide blast ripped through the Shia mosque in Peshawar’s Kocha Risaldar area during Friday prayers.

Mohammad Asim, spokesman of the Lady Reading Hospital confirmed the death toll and said they had received 56 bodies. One dead body was taken to HMC.

He said condition of some of the injured is critical, adding that a large number of doctors and paramedic staff are busy treating the patients. Provision of medicine and availability of medical staff and blood supply has been ensured within the emergency department, Asim maintained.

Inspector General Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa said that it was a suicide attack and at least 150 ball bearings were used in the suicide vest.

 He added that the attackers were on foot when they attacked the police guards and enter the imambargah. Both police officials were martyred in the attack.

An initial report by the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) confirmed that the explosives used in the attack weighed around five to six kilogrammes and were homemade. Ball bearings and other shrapnel producing material were used to maximise casualties among the worshippers.

 CCPO Peshawar Muhammad Aijaz Khan, confirming the death toll, said two attackers were involved. The police officers present on duty were fired at, which resulted in the death of one cop, while the other was seriously injured, he added. Later the injured police official succumbed to his injuries. The blast inside the mosque occurred following the firing incident, said the CCPO.

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