Death toll of Pakistan mosque attack crossed 50

ISLAMABAD, Jan 30 (KUNA) -- The suicide blast that took place inside a mosque in Pakistan's Peshawar city bordering Afghanistan claimed more lives as death toll rise to 50 people with another 157 injured.
A senior police official, CCPO Mohammad Aijaz confirmed the death toll in the suicide blast and said that some victims were still trapped under the rubble as the and part of the mosque's wall collapsed following the explosion. The blast took place in Peshawar's Police Lines during afternoon prayers and around 300 policemen were present in the area at the time of the blast.
A spokesperson at the government run Lady Reading Hospital, Mohammad Asim confirmed that the injured included police officials.
"Some of the injured are in critical condition but most are stable," said the hospital spokesperson, adding that more injured are being shifted to the hospital.
The hospital also issued an appeal for blood donations. Following the bombing, the provincial health department declared an emergency in district Peshawar and asked all medical personnel to remain on duty.
An initial police report confirmed that the explosion was a suicide attack. Following the blast, new security guidelines have been issued in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and the federal capital Islamabad.
The capital's police chief, IG Dr Akbar Nasir Khan ordered the increase in security at all entry and exit points of the city.
The banned outfit Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the blast. (end) sbk.mb