Explosion Hits Shiite Mosque in Peshawar

Armed militants wearing police uniform have attacke a Shiite mosque in the Hayatabad area of Peshawar. One of the attackers blew himself up inside the building. At least 22 people confirmed dead and scores injured.

Taliban terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The mosque is located near a passport office and other govermental buildings.

Firing went on for a long time after the bomb blast, Dunya news reports.

A state of emergency has been imposed in Hayatabad Medical Complex, Express News reports.

Senior police official said that three suicide bombers entered the mosque — one of whom blew himself up while the second one did not manage to explode himself. Official further said that one suicide jacket was neutralised, while several hand grenades were found inside the mosque.

According to media reports, five of the attackers were wearing police uniform.

Eyewitnesses claim that 800 worshippers were present inside the imambargah at the time of attack.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif orders medical authorities to give best possible treatment to victims of the blast. Police officials told media they are still investigating the incident and will reveal details as soon as the situation becomes clearer.

The incident comes two weeks after a suicide attack on Pakistani Shiite mosque that killed 40 dead, 55 injured, the deadliest sectarian incident to hit the country in nearly two years.

Earlier Friday, Pakistani police arrested 12 Taliban members over their alleged involvement in Peshawar school attack.

During the December school assault in Peshawar more than 140 people were killed, most of them children. The Taliban claimed that the attack was a response for military operations the Pakistani army had conducted against Taliban gunmen. The Pakistani government lifted the moratorium on the death penalty as a result of the school attack.