At least 36 people were killed in a suicide terrorist bombing in a mosque in northwest Pakistan

Islamabad-SANA

At least 36 people were killed and 147 others injured as a result of a suicide terrorist bombing that targeted a crowded mosque in the city of Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in northwest Pakistan.

Iskandar Khan, an official in the Pakistani police, said in a statement today: “An explosion in a mosque that housed at least 260 people, killed at least 36 and injured 147, many of whom are in critical condition.”

The terrorist bombing that took place during the noon prayer led to the destruction of the mosque and the collapse of the walls over the worshipers.

In turn, security officials reported that the suicide bomber who blew himself up was present in the front row during the prayer.

Prime Minister Mohammad Shahbaz Sharif strongly condemned the suicide bombing, saying, “The terrorists wanted to create panic by targeting those who protect the country,” adding, “The government will provide support to the provinces in building their capabilities against terrorism.”

The presidency also condemned the bombing and said in a statement: “Those who carry out suicide attacks on Muslims during worship are the enemies of Islam and humanity,” and stressed that “there is a need to take joint and far-reaching measures to eliminate the roots of terrorism.”

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan also strongly condemned the terrorist attack in the Peshawar mosque while he was praying.

This attack is the most violent in the city since March of last year, when a terrorist bombing in a mosque during Friday prayers killed at least 58 people and injured about 200, and ISIS claimed responsibility for that bombing.

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