Over 60 people, primarily police officers, were killed in a blast at a mosque located within a highly sensitive police headquarters in Pakistan on Monday. This tragic incident prompted the government to place the country on high alert. The attack occurred during afternoon prayers in Peshawar, the provincial capital, which is near former tribal areas along the Afghan border where militancy has been on the rise. A frantic rescue operation was underway overnight at the mosque, where an entire wall and part of the roof were destroyed, likely due to a suicide attack. Peshawar police chief Muhammad Ijaz Khan reported that many policemen were trapped under the rubble, estimating that between 300 and 400 officers typically attended the prayers. He stated, “Efforts are being made to get them out safely.”
As bloodied survivors emerged from the wreckage, ambulances transported the deceased. Muhammad Asim Khan, a spokesman for the main hospital in Peshawar, described the situation as an emergency. The death toll continued to climb as rescuers pulled more bodies from the debris, reaching 61 fatalities and over 150 injuries. As night fell, several individuals remained trapped in the wreckage, visible through cracks in the concrete. Bilal Ahmad Faizi, a spokesperson for the rescue organization 1122, mentioned that oxygen was provided to those trapped to assist with their breathing. Following a prayer ceremony, at least 20 of the deceased police officers were buried, their coffins lined up in rows and draped in the Pakistani flag, and they were laid to rest with a guard of honor.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, which occurred amid a deteriorating security situation in the country. The police headquarters in Peshawar is situated in one of the city’s most tightly controlled areas, housing intelligence and counter-terrorism bureaus, and is adjacent to the regional secretariat. In response to the blast, provinces across the country announced heightened security measures, increasing checkpoints and deploying additional security forces. In the capital, Islamabad, snipers were positioned on buildings and at city entry points. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated, “Terrorists want to create fear by targeting those who perform the duty of defending Pakistan.”
According to officers, the explosion originated from the second row of worshippers, and investigators are exploring the possibility of a suicide attack. Shahid Ali, a policeman who survived, recounted that the explosion occurred just seconds after the imam began the prayers. “I saw black smoke rising to the sky. I ran out to save my life,” the 47-year-old told AFP. “The screams of the people are still echoing in my mind.” This significant security breach coincided with the planned visit of United Arab Emirates President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Islamabad, which was canceled at the last minute due to bad weather. Pakistan is also preparing to host an International Monetary Fund delegation on Tuesday as it seeks to secure a crucial bailout loan to avert a looming default. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the blast as “abhorrent,” while US Secretary of State Antony Blinken extended his condolences for the “horrific attack.”
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