Victims Of The Suicide Bombing At The Pakistani Mosque Become 34 Dead And 140 Injured, PM Sharif: Terrorists Want To Create Fear

A suicide bombing at a mosque in Peshawar, Pakistan. (Twitter/@Oldpeshawar)

JAKARTA - The death and injuries from the alleged suicide bombing at a mosque in Peshawar, Pakistan experienced a surge, with the country's prime minister strongly condemning the attack although no group has yet claimed responsibility.

The devastating explosion killed at least 34 people and injured 125 people, deputy commissioner Peshawar Shafullah Khan said, citing CNN January 30.

Meanwhile, local hospital officials said at least 147 people were injured in the explosion, the majority in critical condition, as reported by Reuters.

The rescue operation is currently underway inside the mosque located inside the police complex.

So far no party has claimed responsibility for the attack that occurred in the middle of the prayer.

In a statement to CNN, Peshawar Police Chief Mohammad Aijaz Khan said the explosion was "possibly a suicide attack," in line with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

"The brutal killing of Muslims who prostrate before Allah is against the teachings of the Qur'an," PM Sharif said in a statement, adding "targeting the House of God is proof that the attackers have nothing to do with Islam."

A blast was reported in a mosque in Peshawar's Police Lines area in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa capital. Several people were injured in the blast.17 Martyred, 90 injured in #Peshawar suicide blast.#PeshawarBlast pic.twitter.com/X1VeD921G5

— Walled city of Peshawar (@Oldpeshawar) January 30, 2023

"Terrorists want to create fear by targeting those who carry out their duties to defend Pakistan," the prime minister continued.

"Those who fight against Pakistan will be 'deleted from the courtyard'," he stressed.

Sharif went on to say, "all nations and institutions are united to end terrorism", ensuring the government takes steps to restore law and order in the region.

The attack was the worst in the city since March last year when a suicide bombing exploded at a Shiite mosque when Friday prayers killed at least 58 people and injured nearly 200 people. ISIS militants claimed responsibility for the bombing.

Peshwar, which is on the edge of the Pakistani ethnic district and borders Afghanistan, is often targeted by militant groups including the Pakistani Taliban.

The group known as Tereek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), is the umbrella of the Sunni and sectarian groups that want to overthrow the government and replace it with their own government.

TTP has stepped up attacks since ending a so-called peace deal last year with the Pakistani government, facilitated by the Afghan Taliban.

TTP has frequently carried out attacks targeting police in recent months. In December, the militants seized a center of counter-terrorism in the northwest and took hostages, to negotiate with government authorities.