Death toll in Peshawar mosque blast climbs to 56

PESHAWAR: The death toll in the bomb explosion in a Peshawar mosque located in Qissa Khwani Bazaar has reached 56 after more persons succumbed to their injuries at the hospital, ARY News reported on Friday.

The spokesperson of the Lady Reading Hospital – Peshawar confirmed that the death toll in the mosque blast rose to 56. Muhammad Asim told the media that 194 injured persons have been brought to LRH Peshawar.

He added that some wounded persons are critical. The seriously injured persons in the bomb explosion were given timely medical treatment at the hospital.

“The injured persons were provided with medicines, medical staff, blood on an emergency basis at the hospital,” said Asim.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) minister Kamran Bangash said in a Twitter message that he has just visited LRH along with Senator Saif, Transport Minister Shah Muhammad Khan and Commissioner Peshawar. He added that 80 wounded victims of the Kucha Risaldar Masjid blast were being treated with special care.

Bangash said that the martyrdom of 30 people would not go in van and the state will take strict actions to maintain peace.

Just visited Lady Reading Hospital alng @SenatorSaif,@ShahMKWazir & Commissioner Peshawar.The 80 injured victims of the blast in Kucha Risaldar Masjid are being treated with special care.These 30 martyrdoms won’t go in vain -the state will take strict actions to maintain peace. pic.twitter.com/frUYHdBEpU

— Kamran Bangash 🇵🇰 (@kamrankbangash) March 4, 2022

Earlier, it was learnt that at least 30 people were martyred and more than 50 others sustained injuries as a blast targetted a mosque located in Peshawar’s Qissa Khwani Bazar on Friday.

According to police, the blast occurred inside Jamia Mosque located at Kocha – e – Rasladar Chowk in Qisa Khwani Bazar during Friday prayers, leaving at least 30 people dead, the spokesperson of Lady Reading Hospital confirmed.

As per police, two attackers entered the mosque after opening fire at the two policemen who were guarding the mosque. As a result, one of the cops was martyred on the spot, while the other has been rushed to the hospital in critical condition.

The police further said the nature of the blast cannot be ascertained as per initial reports. Police officials are collecting the evidence from the crime scene.

Read more: At least three killed, several injured as blast rocks Quetta

Hearing the blast voice, rescue teams reached the site and shifted the injured to the hospital.

The rescue teams are facing problems in carrying out rescue and relief operations due to narrow streets in the Bazar. An emergency has been imposed at Lady Reading Hospital. The police have cordoned off the area.

PM’s condemnation 

Prime Minister Imran Khan has strongly condemned the terror attack and directed the administration to provide every possible facility to the injured of the blast.

He has also summoned a detailed report into the blast.

‘No threat alert was issued’

Exclusively talking to ARY News, Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed strongly denounced the Peshawar mosque blast and said there was no prior threat alert issued for Peshawar.

Rasheed said we have a number of martyrs. He said international powers want to destabilise peace in Pakistan. Information is being gathered detailed will be shared later.

Earlier, at least three people were killed while 19 others sustained injuries in a blast that took place on Quetta’s Fatima Jinnah Road.