At least 45 people have been killed and 65 injured in a suicide attack on a Shia mosque in the Pakistani city of Peshawar. Two gunmen opened fire during Friday prayers, one of whom then blew himself up.
The two terrorists shot at police officers who were standing guard at the Kucha Risaldar mosque. A police officer and a terrorist were killed in the firefight. The other attacker then broke into the mosque and blew himself up.
Authorities expect the death toll to rise. Many of the injured are in critical condition. At least 150 believers were in the mosque during Friday prayers.
Shayan Haider was about to enter the mosque when he was blown into the street by the force of the explosion. “When I opened my eyes I saw dust and bodies everywhere.”
No claim
No one has yet claimed responsibility for the attack. But Islamic State and a Pakistani branch of the Taliban have previously carried out similar attacks in the region, which borders Afghanistan. Prime Minister Imran Khan has strongly condemned the attack.
The Shia minority in Pakistan makes up about 16 percent of the population of more than 225 million inhabitants. She is often the target of Sunni extremists.
Retired army officer Sher Ali, who survived the attack but was injured by shrapnel, called on the government to better protect the Shiites. “What sin have we committed? What have we done wrong? Are we not citizens of this country?”
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