Eight killed, dozens injured in Peshawar blast

PESHAWAR: At least eight worshipers, including two children, were killed and 55 others injured in a powerful bomb blast at a Tableeghi Markaz (Islamic preaching centre/seminary/mosque) --not far from the military cantonment-- here on Thursday.

"The explosion ripped through the Tableeghi Markaz located on Charsaddah Road when at least 800 worshipers were offering prayer," Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Najib-ur-Rehman said.

Rehman also confirmed the deaths and feared a rise in the toll.

"The terrorists targeted the centre run by the Tablighi Jamaat (society for spreading faith) just metres from the military quarter of Peshawar", another officials said.

Initially it was suspected to be a cylinder blast, but a foot deep crater between two pillars of the prayer hall dismissed that theory.

Furthermore, the distinctive smell of explosives and the crater strongly pointed to a planted device, which was later confirmed by the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS).

Concluding that it was not a suicide bombing, Additional Inspector General of Bomb Disposal Squad, Shafqat Malik, said a timer device with at least 5 kilograms of explosive was used in the bombing.

"The timed improvised explosive device (IED) was hidden inside an empty canister of ghee,", Malik said.

The casualties were shifted to Lady Reading Hospital not only by the emergency responders but also volunteers.

According to hospital sources at least 55 injured have so far been brought to the emergency room -- many of them critical. The head of the hospital confirmed the number of the casualties.

A wounded worshiper told Geo News that they had just started offering Namaz-e Maghrib (prayer offered just after sunset) when the explosion struck.

"The bomb went off while we were in the middle of first Rakat (a unit of Muslim prayer)", said he. He added that faithfuls were still pouring in as it was a special worship night, which attracted a lot many preachers and Muslims at large from and out of the city.

"This special 3-day preaching session starts on Thursday night and the terrorists struck when the attendance was at its peak", an official said.

Tableeghi Jamaat adherents generally gather at the sprawling seminary and mosque located on the outskirts of Peshawar on Thursday nights, as well as Fridays.

A search and clearance operation is underway at the moment.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, but militants at war with the Pakistani state often have targeted houses of worship with bombs timed to kill the highest number of people.

President Mamnoon Hussain has expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in Peshawar blast. The President also called upon the authorities concerned to ensure that best medical assistance is provided to the injured.

Condemning the attack, Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif conveyed his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families. He also prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls and courage to the bereaved families to bear the loss with fortitude.

Decrying the bomb blast, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, vowed to eradicate terrorism at all costs. He has sought an immediate report from Inspector General of Police (IGP) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK).

Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Imran Khan, reprobated this inhuman attack in the strongest of words. He said the perpetrators were hell-bent on destabilizing the country by such cowardly acts of terrorism.

Patron-in-Chief of Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said the culprits involved in the attack were not only enemies of the country but also enemies of Islam, a religion of peace and well-being. "We are invaded in every inch of our land, in our holy places, in our lives and honor," he added.

The chief of Minhaj-ul-Quran International Allama Dr.Tahir-ul-Qadri urged the entire nation to unite against the terrorists. He said that terrorism and target killing is organized conspiracy against national solidarity. He prayed for martyrs and early recovery of all injured persons in the incident.

In a rare statement, the outlawed militant outfit, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), has condemned the attack on the Tableeghi Markaz.

TTP spokesman Shahidullah Shahid denied having any role in the blast.

"We don´t kill innocent civilians and we have nothing to do with the blast," Shahid told a foreign news-wire by telephone from an undisclosed location.

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Al-Qaeda-linked militants have led a bloody campaign against the Pakistani state in recent years.