Suicide Bomber Targeting Police Kills 47, Injures More Than 150 During Prayer Service

Monday’s suicide bomber attacked a Peshawar mosque, Pakistan, targeting police officers. He killed at least 47 and injured more than 150.

The majority of those who died were officers from the police, according to The Associated Press reportedIn what appears to be the latest attack on law enforcement in the area by Islamist militants, a hospital official was killed. Hospital officials Submitted Reuters reported that many of the injured were in critical health.

The attack on Twitter was allegedly perpetrated by Sarbakaf Mohmand (a Pakistani Taliban commander), according to the AP. According to Reuters, his group, Tehreek-etaliban Pakistan (TTP), is composed of Sunni and sectarian Islamist organizations that are dedicated to overthrowing Pakistan’s government and imposing Islamic rule. The group is separate from the Afghan Taliban but remains a close ally of the terrorist group that seized power in Afghanistan following the Biden administration’s disastrous withdrawal from the region.

Mohmand stated that the attack was meant to avenge Abdul Wali (also known as Omar Khalid Khurasani), who was killed in Afghanistan in August 2022.

It occurred during noon prayers. The bomber was strong enough that a wall collapsed on top of worshippers. Reuters reported that it is not clear how the bomber managed to enter the building. The compound includes the Sunni Mosque as well as headquarters for the provincial police force.

“We’re getting that the terrorist was standing in the first row,” Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said, according to the outlet.

The Associated Press reported that more than 300 worshippers were present at the mosque to pray noon, and even more were coming in when the bomber detonated the explosives vest. Police said that rescuers were quick to remove debris and reach worshippers who were trapped underneath the rubble.

The latest attack was the city’s deadliest since March 2022, when Islamic State militants committed a suicide bombing at a Shi’ite Muslim mosque in Peshawar during a prayer service, killing at least 58 people and injuring nearly 200, Reuters reported.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif vowed “stern action” Peshawar was visited by Imran Khan, former prime minister of Pakistan, who spoke out against the terrorist group. Imran Khan, former Prime Minister, also condemned what he called “a terrorist attack.” “terrorist suicide attack” The Associated Press reported the following via Twitter:

“My prayers & condolences go to victims (sic) families,” Khan wrote. “It is imperative we improve our intelligence gathering & properly equip our police forces to combat the growing threat of terrorism.”

Khan lost power in April after he was given a no-confidence vote by parliament. Sharif assumed control of government.