Peshawar blast: Mahira Khan, Humayun Saeed among others are heartbroken and livid

At least 62 people have been killed and close to 200 injured in the suicide bombing at an Imambargah in Kocha Risaldar of Peshawar on Friday during Jumma prayers. CCTV footage released later in the day showed the suicide attacker clad in a black shalwar kameez, brandishing a pistol, making his way into the mosque and opening fire at the policemen deputed for mosque security, killing one of them. The blast coincided with the start of a long-awaited cricket series against Australia. The team set foot in Pakistan after almost quarter of a century.

The incident shook many around the country, including celebrities, who condemned the attack and requested prayers for victims of the blast and the bereaved. Many are heartbroken and livid.

Mahira Khan has no words.

"Deeply saddened over the horrific terror attack during Friday prayers in #Peshawar. More innocent lives taken away so quickly by terrorism, how much more do we have to lose? Praying for a world that values human life. Praying for these families. May Allah guide us all," tweeted singer and actor Hadiqa Kiani.

Ali Rehman Khan shared with a broken heart, "May Allah give eternal peace to the departed and give a quick recovery to those who are wounded. Let’s hope those responsible for such a cowardly attack are apprehended fast and brought to justice. My heart goes to the families of the affected."

Veteran actor Samina Peerzada took to the micro-blogging site to add, "All my duas for the people of Peshawar. My heartfelt condolences to the martyrs and prayers for the injured. Ya Allah Reham, Insaan kay Sharr say bachaa (Oh Lord have mercy, save us from humans)."

Humayun Saeed sent prayers for the victims of the tragic incident. "May Allah bless the souls of the departed and give strength and health to the injured," he tweeted.

Armeena Khan reminded the perpetrators who take lives in the name of religion, "'Whoever kills an innocent person it is as if he has killed all of humanity.'" She added, "My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. #Peshawarblast"

Provided the targets were once again a minority, who are often treated like lesser humans, Anoushey Ashraf wrote, "Just a gentle reminder that Quaid E Azam was Shia. His closest aides were Parsis, Christians, Muslims and Hindus. This wasn’t his vision. This is not his Pakistan. Mercilessly killing people who believe in the same God, his Prophet and the holiest book. #shame #Shiagenocide."

Author Fatima Bhutto also added, "The total cruelty of bringing violence to a house of worship and prayer is beyond words. Am seeing calls from Peshawar's LRH hospital urgent need for urgent blood donations - hope the many injured have the care they need..."

Adnan Siddiqui chimed in writing, "It’s a shame! Killing innocent people to claim supremacy. As if the world hasn’t seen enough because of covid…we don’t need viruses to kill us, we’ll annihilate ourselves at this rate. How much does our Pakistan need to suffer.."

Actor and host Ahsan Khan felt his heart break like all of us. "Heart breaking incident in Peshawar during Friday prayer. Prayers with the victims."

Saba Qamar came across the shattering images pouring in from the broken city and tweeted, "The images from Peshawar are sad. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims."

Former model and PR maven Frieha Altaf was gutted. "Gutted about the terrorist attack in Peshawar Mosque during friday prayers where 55 people died, 200 more injured and most of them badly. Government, please make this stop. Deepest condolences to families. Terror acts up 41% since Afghanistan war ended."

So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Here's hoping the affected are brought to justice.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.