A suicide bomber detonated explosives all the way through crowded prayers at a mosque within a police compound in Pakistan on Monday, inflicting the roof to collapse. More than 30 other folks were killed, with AP reporting that the quantity has risen to 34. Officials have stated 150 were wounded.
Most of the casualties have been law enforcement officials. It was once no longer transparent how the bomber was once in a position to slide into the walled compound, which properties the northwestern town of Peshawar’s police headquarters and is itself positioned in a high-security zone with different executive constructions.
Sarbakaf Mohmand, a commander for the Pakistani Taliban, claimed accountability for the assault on Twitter. The major spokesman for the militant staff was once no longer straight away to be had for remark.
Pakistan has noticed a surge in militant assaults since November when the Pakistani Taliban ended their cease-fire with executive forces. This was once some of the deadliest assaults on safety forces in recent times.
More than 300 worshippers have been praying throughout the mosque, with extra coming near, when the bomber spark off his explosives vest. Many have been injured when the roof got here down, in line with Zafar Khan, an area police officer.
Rescuers scrambled to take away mounds of particles from the mosque grounds to succeed in worshippers nonetheless trapped underneath the rubble, police stated.
Meena Gul, who was once throughout the mosque when the bomb went off, stated he doesn’t know the way he survived unharmed. The 38-year-old police officer stated he may just pay attention cries and screams after the bomb exploded.
Siddique Khan, a police authentic, stated the demise toll rose to 34, and the useless incorporated Noor-ul-Amin, the prayer chief. He stated the attacker blew himself up whilst some of the worshippers.
Peshawar police leader Ijaz Khan stated a minimum of 150 have been wounded. A close-by health center indexed most of the wounded in essential situation, elevating issues the demise toll may just nonetheless upward push.
Peshawar is the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the place the Pakistani Taliban have a powerful presence, and the town has been the scene of widespread militant assaults.
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