Pakistan: Peshawar blast kills 63, Tehreek-e-Taliban claims responsibility

 Officials said the suicide bomber, who was sitting in the front row near the Police Lines area at around 1:40 p.m., was performing the Zohar (afternoon) prayer. The attacker blew himself up. After the explosion, the roof of the mosque fell on the worshippers. Among the worshipers were police, army and bomb disposal squad personnel. 300 to 400 police officers were present in the area at the time of the blast.

A senior official said there was definitely a lapse in security. At least five sub-inspectors and the imam of the mosque, Maulana Sahibzada Nurul Amin, were among the dead.

Officials at Lady Reading Hospital said more than 150 people were injured. Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed the responsibility for the attack. He said the suicide attack was revenge for the death of TTP commander Omar Khalid Khursani, who was killed in Afghanistan in August last year.

A police official said that a part of the mosque collapsed from the blast and many people are believed to be buried under the debris. Bilal Faizi, who is in charge of the rescue operation, said, "At the moment our focus is on the rescue operation. Our first priority is to safely extricate the people buried in the debris.”

According to the police, the bomber entered the four-tier security mosque inside the police lines. Provincial police chief Muazzam Jah Ansari said police were investigating the blast and finding out how the bomber got into the high-security mosque. He expressed apprehension that the bomber might have been staying in the police lines before the blast as there are 'family quarters' inside the police lines. The headquarters of Peshawar Police, Anti-Terrorism Department, Frontier Reserve Police, Elite Force and Communications Department are also located around the blast site.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir arrived in Peshawar to review the relief and rescue operations. The Prime Minister along with the Army Chief also visited Lady Reading Hospital and inquired about the health of the injured. Home Minister Rana Sanaullah and other officials were also present during this.

The Prime Minister convened an emergency meeting where the preliminary inquiry report was presented. Inspector General of Police Ansari said he did not know where the bomber came from and how he got inside the police lines. Peshawar Superintendent of Police (Investigation) Shahzad Kaukab told the media that the explosion occurred when he entered the mosque to offer prayers, but luckily he escaped with his life. His office is near the mosque. A mass cremation of 27 dead was conducted in Police Lines in the evening.

He said that the martyrdom of those killed in the blast will not go in vain. "The entire nation is united in the fight against this scourge of terrorism," he said. Sharif said a comprehensive strategy would be adopted to combat the deteriorating law and order situation in the restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the federal government would strengthen its anti-terrorist capabilities. It will help to increase. Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also condemned the attack, saying it was "a clear sign of terrorist incidents ahead of local and general elections."

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Haji Ghulam Ali condemned the blast and appealed to people to donate blood for the injured. He said it would be a "great kindness to the police." Officials said the bodies and the injured were taken to Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar. A state of emergency has been declared in hospitals in Peshawar.

 The hospital administration has appealed to people to donate blood. After the blast in Peshawar, security has been tightened in major cities including Islamabad. Security has been increased on all routes to and from Islamabad and snipers have been deployed at important places and buildings. Acting Chief Minister Azam Khan has condemned the attack and expressed his condolences to the victims. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan has strongly condemned the attack.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Khan tweeted, “My deepest condolences to those who lost their lives, their families and those who were injured. It has therefore become imperative that we improve intelligence gathering and strengthen the police force adequately to counter the growing threat of terrorism.'' 63 people lost their lives. The TTP has reneged on a ceasefire with the Pakistan government and has ordered its militants to carry out terrorist attacks across the country. Alleged involvement. He is said to be close to Al Qaeda.