Suicide bombing at Peshawar mosque kills 32, at least 147 injured

A powerful suicide bomber attacked a mosque near Peshawar’s police station today,killing 32 people and injuring 147, an official told media.
Security officials said “the suicide bomber blew himself up while he was in the front row during a prayer service, injuring dozens of worshipers attending Zohr prayers”.
The banned Teherik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attack.
Peshawar Commissioner Riaz Khan Mehsud said at least 28 people were martyred and 150 injured in the blast.
The injured were transferred to Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar. The hospital called on citizens to donate blood for the victims.
Ejaz Khan of the Metropolitan Police Peshawar (CCPO) told the media that it was too early to say anything as many police officers were still trapped under the rubble.
“We are currently focusing on relief efforts. I can’t say for sure, but the mosque smells of explosives,” CCPO said. He added that the headquarters of the Peshawar Police, CTD, FRP, Elite Forces and Telecommunications Division are located at this location. Usually 300 to 400 police officers pray during Zohr time. If the explosion occurred within a police perimeter, it would be a security breach, but investigation into the matter could provide further insight,” he said.
Declaration of medical emergency
Acting Prime Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Muhammad Azam Khan has declared a medical emergency in all hospitals in Peshawar. The interim CM also directed rescue organizations to speed up relief efforts.