At least 29 people have been killed and 150 wounded after a suicide bomber targeted a mosque in Peshawar, Pakistan during afternoon prayers on Monday.
Local media reports indicate the bomber detonated his suicide vest as a large number of worshipers – including many policemen from nearby police offices – were praying inside. Early reports indicate the bomber was among the worshipers.
According to police, the mosque was located close to a police housing block, and there were some 260 people inside when the blast occurred, Reuters reported. Many of the casualties were police officers who had gathered for daily prayers, said the report.
Speaking to the media, local police officer Zafar Khan said the impact of the explosion caused a portion of the building to collapse, injuring dozens.
“A portion of the building had collapsed and several people are believed to be under it,” he added.
No group has immediately claimed responsibility for the bombing, local police said.
However, Mohammad Asim, a spokesman for the Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar, told the media that so far 90 wounded have been brought to the hospital for treatment.
