Death toll in Peshawar imambargah attack rises to 20

PESHAWAR (Web Desk / Agencies) – At least 20 people were killed and over 40 others injured when several militants stormed Imamia mosque in Hayatabad area of Peshawar on Friday, 92 News reported. "It was a suicide attack" IG Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Nasir Durrani confirmed. He said that authorities are gathering evidence from the blast site. Senior police official Rana Umer Hayat told journalists that several gunmen threw grenades before entering the mosque in Peshawar, the main city in Pakistan's restive northwest, around the time of the main Friday prayers. According to SSP operations, three attackers entered the premises from an under construction building. One of the suicide attackers detonated his vest inside the imambargah while another terrorist got injured during the exchange of fire with guard. The injured attacker died later. Heavy contingent of the security personnel arrived at the scene and cordoned off the area while the injured were shifted to Hayatabad Medical Complex. TV footage showed people running away from the scene, some carrying injured on their shoulders, others limping, as police fired shots and checked people at a barrier. The mosque is close to several government buildings including the offices of the Federal Investigation Agency and passport agency. On the other hand, emergency was declared at all the hospitals in Peshawar. President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif condemned the terrorist attack. Prime Minister has directed the authorities to provide the best medical care to the injured. He said the government is determinant to eliminate terrorism and extremism from the country. The attack is a reminiscent of the December 16 Peshawar school carnage last year that killed at least 150 people, including 136 students. Late last month, at least 61 people were killed in a suicide bombing during Friday prayers at Karbala-e-Moalla Imambargah in Shikarpur district of Sindh province.