28 dead, over 120 injured after massive bomb blast in mosque in Pakistan’s Peshawar

A massive bomb blast occurred in a mosque in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province’s Peshawar city in northwest Pakistan Monday afternoon, leading to the demise of 28 so far and leaving about another 120 injured, according to media reports.

According to local media outlets, the blast occurred near the Police Lines area around 1.40 pm during the zuhr (afternoon) prayers.

Initial reports suggest that the blast was a result of a suicide bomber, who was present in the front row of the mosque while many worshippers, including police officials and locals, were offering their prayers.

Around 150 people are said to be present at the mosque at the time of the blast.

“A portion of the building had collapsed and several people are believed to be under it,” police official Sikandar Khan stated to media outlets.

A state of emergency has been declared in the region, and the area has been cornered off. The injured are said to be transported to the Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar, with the hospital calling on citizens to donate blood during this critical time.