Peshawar blast: 44 killed, 157 injured; Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan claims responsibility

At least 44 people were killed and 157 injured in a blast at a mosque in Pakistan's Peshawar. The blast took place in the city's Police Lines area at around 1:40 pm. The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the explosion, according to the Pakistan-based daily Dawn. 

An emergency has been imposed at hospitals across the city and injured persons are being provided the best medical facilities, Peshawar Police Commissioner Riaz Mehsood told Dawn. 

Geo News reported that a 'suicide attacker' blew himself up inside the mosque during prayers. The suicide attacker was reportedly present in the front row during the prayers when he exploded himself. The blast took place as Zuhr prayers were being offered.

Following the explosion, a portion of the building collapsed and several people — especially those standing in the front row during the prayers — were believed to be under it, Dawn reported.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the blast and said the attackers behind the incident 'have nothing to do with Islam'. He said terrorists want to create fear by targeting those who perform the duty of defending Pakistan. Sharif promised that people's sacrifices will not go in vain. "The entire nation is standing united against the menace of terrorism," he said. 

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan also condemned the 'terrorist suicide attack' and expressed sympathies with the families of the victims. "It is imperative we improve our intelligence gathering & properly equip our police forces to combat the growing threat of terrorism," he added.

After the blast in Peshawar, the Islamabad Police issued high-alert orders in the capital city. The city police in a tweet said checking has been increased at all entry and exit points. Monitoring was being done and snipers have been deployed at important ports and buildings, the police said.

In March last year, a suicide blast hast struck a Shia mosque in Peshawar's Kocha Risaldar area in which at least 56 people were killed and 194 were injured.