22 worshipers killed, 35 injured in a suicide attack outside mosque in Hangu

PESHAWAR: About 22 people were killed and 35 received injuries as a suicide bomber blew himself up outside a mosque targeting worshippers coming out after offering Juma prayer in Pat Bazar of Hangu District on Friday.

DPO Hangu, Dr. Mian Saeed told APP that explosion was result of a suicide attack targeting innocent worshipper.

The bomber was riding a motorcycle and blew himself up when people were coming out just after offering Juma prayer at Masjid Faizullah in Hangu city, he added.

The dead also included a police official performing duty outside masjid for the security of the worshippers.

DPO Mian Saeed said soon after the blast security forces rushed to the spot and cordoned off the area besides starting search operation.

The injured were shifted to District Headquarter Hospital where emergency was declared and some seriously injured were shifted to Peshawar after providing initial treatment. The condition of ten injured is declared as precarious.    

Soon after the blast, shoppers closed their shops to express strong condemnation over the incident. Meanwhile, President of ANP, Asfandyar Wali Khan and Provincial President, Afrasaib Khattak expressed condemnation over the blast in Hangu mosque.

They also expressed their profound grief over loss of precious lives.

The ANP leaders have termed the blast as an inhuman act, adding that the terrorists in order to make people of the country hostage were committing inhuman acts.

They cannot escape from the wrath of Allah Almighty, they added.

ANP leaders continued that sacrifices of ANP and the people in war against terror are match less.

They said the faces behind such inhuman activities have been exposed, adding that such people have no religion and ideology.

They also prayed the eternal peace of departed soul and for early recovery of the injured people.

Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Barrister Masood Kausar has also expressed strong condemnation over bomb blast at Hangu and expressed his deep shock and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in the tragic incident.

This is worst act of terrorism wherein innocent worshipers were killed, he added.

In his condolence message on Friday, the Governor while expressing his deep sympathies with members of the bereaved families, has said that the tragic incident has aggrieved us all and the entire nation stands with them in this hour of grief. Governor has also advised the concerned authorities to ensure best ever available treatment facilities to the injured.

He has also prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls and courage to them to bear the irreparable loss with patience. He has also wished early recovery of the injured.