LOC14:48
11:48 GMT
ISLAMABAD, Jan 30 (KUNA) - The death toll in the suicide blast that took place inside a mosque in Peshawar city of Pakistan's northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Monday rise to 28 while 150 people received injuries, said officials.
A senior administrative official of Peshawar city, Commissioner Riaz Mehsood confirmed that the death toll in the blast rose to 28 while 150 people were injured. "An emergency has been imposed at hospitals across the city and injured persons are being provided the best medical facilities," the official said.
According to initial police investigation, the blast took place inside a mosque in Peshawar's Police Lines area at the prayer time. The mosque is located inside the police lines and around 300 policemen were present in the area at the time of the blast.
The roof of the mosque collapsed after the blast and a number of people are still stuck under the rubble where rescuers are trying to pull them out. The bodies and the injured people were moved to the government run Lady Reading Hospital where the condition of some injured was reported critical.
Security forces have cordoned off the area completely and started an initial investigation.
Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif in a statement strongly condemned the blast and said that the attackers behind the incident "have nothing to do with Islam". "Terrorists want to create fear by targeting those who perform the duty of defending Pakistan," he said.
The premier paid tribute to the martyrs and promised that their sacrifices will not go in vain. "The entire nation is standing united against the menace of terrorism," he added. PM Sharif said a comprehensive strategy will be adopted on the deteriorating law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The center will cooperate in increasing the anti-terrorism capacity of the provinces. (end)
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