PESHAWAR:
Three explosions occurred inside Shama Cinema in Peshawar on Tuesday, Express News reported. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) condemned the blast and claimed that they had nothing to do with it. Twelve people were killed and 23 injured in three hand grenade explosions inside the Shama Cinema in Peshawar. Security forces and the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) reached the scene shortly after the incident. Rescue teams reached the location and the injured were taken to Lady Reading Hospital for treatment. At least 50 people were inside the cinema hall at the time of the explosion. Shama Cinema According to sources in the city, the cinema was once owned by senior minister Bashir Ahmed Bilour. The cinema, it is believed, is now managed by close relatives of the Bilour brothers. When contacted by The Express Tribune in 2011, Aziz Ahmed Bilour said he had been busy doing public service in Islamabad since he left Peshawar two decades ago. He said he has not gone to the cinema since then. Aziz also insisted he does not own any cinema and does not know who owns the Shama Cinema. The cinema was known for showing pornographic films in one of its auditoriums.
End of live updates
5:15pm At least three of the injured were in critical condition.
4:51pm "Initially we can say two blasts inside one of the halls of Shama cinema were caused by hand grenades," senior police official Najibur Rehman said. "Ten people were killed and 16 others were wounded in the attack," he added, speaking to AFP. An official at Peshawar's Lady Reading Hospital, Syed Jameel Shah, confirmed the death toll.
4:45pm President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the bomb blasts, according to a report by Radio Pakistan. The cinema was reportedly receiving threats but no security arrangements had been made.
4:40pm CCPO Peshawar told media that three China-made hand grenades were used in the attack. He said that the hospital has confirmed that 8 people are dead and another 23 are injured. Varying reports came in with regards to the death toll which was earlier said to be 16. There were also some reports that the injury toll could be higher. The CCPO also said that the first blast occurred at 3:40pm.
4:30pm A rescue official said that 10 people were killed. Earlier it was reported that 16 people had been killed in the blasts.
4:26pm The Bomb Disposal Squad conducted a search operation inside the cinema. The blast occurred in Hall B where at least 50 people were watching a film.
4:17pm The cinema was cordoned off by the police and no one was being allowed inside. Emergency was declared at Lady Reading Hospital, where the injured were taken for treatment.
4:08pm The number of deceased increased to 16 and the injured to 22, according to rescue sources.
4:05pm The death toll has increased to 3 and 20 others are injured. Journalists tweet about the incident:
4:01pm One person was killed and at least 15 were injured.
3:55pm Blast heard in Peshawar.
COMMENTS (30)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
@ThinkTank yes indeed, because TTP are so peaceful people.
CIA, RAW and MOSSAD are responsible for this madness. Isn't it obvious that they want to disrupt the peace talks.
@rationality: The honorable general you refer to violated the oath that he took upon entering the armed forces. What is the penalty for disobeying orders in the armed forces sir? Do keep in mind that COAS reports to the civilian leadership and is duty bound to follow their instructions whether he likes it or not.
The three bombs were made in China! How does it matter to those who are dead or seriously injured!
When will madness end??? RIP to the departed souls.
@vick: SRy one has to have a Sick mind to justify this !
Seems like people commenting too afraid from RAW
Every thing is fair in love, war and Peshawar.
Ah yes! Wonderful people to engage in peace talks with.
@Vick ... since it was a "disgrace"... lets us kill 11 people. By that logic, many of islamic believes and practices are a "disgrace" for non-muslims and other countries...what do you suggest should be done to muslims then?
very very sad. Anti-Pakistan forces trying to sabotage peace talk efforts.The peace talks and efforts should go on.
@Fact is Fact: when they say they are involved, we believe them but when they say we are not involve, we don’t
No insane person or party will claim blast unless they are proud of the act. It's easy to deny when you are the prime suspect.
Condolences.Normal people...
@vick: So does that justify murder??
@MAD: when they say they are involved, we believe them but when they say we are not involve, we don't
@MAD: Its not from the people involved in Peace talk as they have negated their involvement.
What a nation of kangaroos we are that we taking the word or believing a proscribed banned org responsible for mass murder and mayhem while advocate their defunct stance on our media which shouldn't be allowed
We prosecute/ make him face unjust courts the honorable a General who has fought for this country and try to please people who are responsible for 1000s of death. A despicable nation of cartoons!
@vick: So what... Maniac! This justifies the killing? Its kosher for the ones who got free laptops, but not for the poor?
Entertainment is not allowed in Sharia.
This is a deliberately action to sabotage the ongoing peacetalks with tehreeka - taliban - pakistan. I wouldn't bee surprised if somebody claimed that foreign agents are involved in todays attack. Peace been upon this ummah.
This cinema was symbol of disgrace for KPK........ known for showing adult movies