Suicide blast in Jamrud mosque: 56 killed, 123 injured
Locals said that a young boy aged 15-16 years had entered the mosque through a window and exploded himself in the main hall during Friday prayers. Officials also confirmed that the blast was a suicide attack.
Locals said some militants had entered the area two to three days back and had been forced to leave by tribal elders.
When the suicide bomber entered the mosque, he is reported to have shouted “Who will throw me out of the area now?”
The injured and bodies were shifted to Lady Reading Hospital, Khyber Teaching Hospital and Hayatabad Medical Complex.
The political administration has announced compensations of Rs50,000 each for the families of the deceased and Rs25,000 for those injured.
Meanwhile President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani have expressed deep shock on the attack and loss of lives, condemning it as an abhorrent act.
Also US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in a statement issued from Washington, strongly condemned the attack and condoled with the families and loved ones affected by this deplorable violence.
End of live updates
3:55pm
Edhi sources have confirmed 53 people were killed and 123 injured in the blast.
3:45pm
Express 24/7 correspondent Iftikhar Firdous said locals had confirmed that 53 bodies had been collected from the mosque and 103 injured had been shifted to hospitals.
A large number of casualties were reported to be a result of the pellets used in the suicide vest, 30 people were killed on the spot.
Locals said some militants had entered the area two to three days back and had been forced to leave by tribal elders.
When the suicide bomber entered the mosque, he is reported to have shouted “Who will throw me out of the area now?”
The suicide bomber had jumped through the window and exploded in the main hall of the mosque.
The clean-up of the mosque is underway and visuals from the site show shattered windows, a blackened roof and pellet holes in the walls.
3:15pm
Express 24/7 correspondent Iftikhar Firdous said local officials had confirmed that the blast was a suicide attack. Reports state that a young boy entered and exploded himself when Friday prayers were being offered inside Mandokhel Mosque.
Initial investigations have revealed that pellets were also used in the attack.
There were still bodies trapped in the wreckage, witness Haji Zarmeen, who helped removed at least 12 bodies from the rubble, told Reuters
There has been no confirmation from locals if the mosque had been receiving any threats.
The injured have been shifted to Lady Reading Hospital, Khyber Teaching Hospital and Hayatabad Medical Complex.
Express 24/7 correspondent Umer Farooq said up to 48 injured and 12 bodies were received at Khyber Teaching Hospital.
"More than 33 people have been killed and at least 100 were injured. Our initial report said it was a suicide attack," Mutahar Zeb, the top administrative official of the semi-autonomous district, told AFP.
2:55pm
Iftikhar Khan, an official at the Hayatabad Medical Complex in Peshawar told AFP that 40 wounded people had been rushed there alone.
2:45pm
Express 24/7 correspondent Umer Farooq reported up to 30 injured had been brought to Khyber Teaching Hospital. The hospital is understaffed and there is not enough manpower to help the injured.
Children and the elderly are also among the injured.
2:40pm
Eye witnesses claim that the blast was a suicide attack. They said that the blast took place inside the mosque's hall.
The suicide bomber was aged between 15-16 years, said witnesses.
Around 400 people were present inside the mosque when the blast took place.
“At least 24 people have been killed and more than 70 were injured. The bomb blast took place inside the mosque," Mutahar Zeb, the top administrative official of the semi-autonomous district, told AFP.
2:35pm
Local sources say over 100 people have been injured as a result of the blast.
Eye-witnesses said body parts were seen inside the mosque after the explosion.
Mosques in the areas had been receiving threats from banned militant organisation.
Ansar-ul Islam and Lashkar-e-Islam have been targetting the area for some time.
2:30pm
Reports from the area say up to 40 people were killed and 80 injured in the blast.
A portion of the mosque collapsed following the blast.
The injured and bodies have been shifted to Hayatabad Medical Complex.
"It was a bomb blast. Seven people were killed and more than 50 were injured inside the mosque. Hundreds of people were gathered to offer their prayers on Friday," Sayed Ahmed Jan, a senior administrative official, told AFP.
2: 20pm
Initial reports from the area say 15 to 20 people were killed when the blast took place during Friday prayers. Local sources said 25 to 30 people had also been injured.
The nature of the blast has not been determined.
Security forces have cordoned off the area and rescue efforts are currently underway.
The injured and bodies have been shifted to nearby hospitals.
COMMENTS (77)
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@Malik A would be suicide bomber was caught 'alive" because his suicide jacket malfunctioned. He turned out to be fourteen year old boy. On interrogation he told that he did it for "Maazey keleye". (Read today's The Nation) I think it is the prevert "Madrassa culture" which makes them do what they do. A sexually liberated society may be the answer to this problem. It may produce an occassional killer (Like in Norway), but not suicide bomber ready to kill just for "Maazey ke liye" with 72 hoors.
If Pakistan had used the money US gave in fighting terror rather than missusing it and buying weapons against India this would not have happened. Realize it, in the current conditions attacking you or conquering you would be our (India's) nightmare.
@Curious, Very funny!!!!
Shahid Ahmed brilliantly says "Until and Unless all religious authorities (mullahs) unanimously declare suicide bombers as Kafirs, this madness will continue. "
Kaffirs are usually more decent human beings than Muslims. Kaffirs contribute to the world peace and progress more than Muslims do. Kaffirs, by any standard, are better educated (Jews, Hindus, jains, Sikhs, Xians) than their muslim counterparts (in any country, including the Islamic republic of Pakistan and the staunchly liberal USA).
I think, these suicide bombers should be declared good Muslims.
@faraz: Bang on target!
@malik: Good joke in these distressing times.....
Until and Unless all religious authorities (mullahs) unanimously declare suicide bombers as Kafirs, this madness will continue. No amount of Drone attacks or other tactics can solve this problem except for what I've spelt out above.
This is the result of Jihadi policies of 30 years to "cut India with a thousand cuts".....
all those accusing raw and cia are forgeting that there was no protest in any place across the country so it means we dont care we protest for osama bin laden being killed but if house of allah is demolished and quran is burned then we just put blame on cia just go and ask mullah omer or hameed gul was this right or wrong he will say it was right if people dont support taliban then they must be killed in house of allah so its people around us and may be in our homes we have to raise against them its enough we will die but we will not allow them to demolish the houses of allah these quran burners are worst then terry jones wake up and save yourself otherwise next will be YOU
What carnage.
@Hedgefunder: Unclear where you feel you disagree with me. I believe that humanity rather than Islam should be emphasized. You seem to be saying the same thing. I believe that justifying the killing of 'others' by branding them kafirs is not a good thing. I imagine that you would agree.
So where is the disagreement?
Out of context, I wonder what happens to a female suicide bomber. Does she also get 72 virgins in heaven?
When they came for the Ahmadis, I remained silent; I was not an Ahmadi.
When they came for the Shias, I did not speak out; I was not a Shia.
When they came for the Christians, I remained silent; I wasn’t a Christian.
When they came for me, there was no one left to speak out.
@gp65: My dear, thanks for the comment. I want to first isolate the terrorists from all political and religious parties and expose them in no uncertain terms as the enemy of civilization. If rightwing parties do not openely and strongly come out aginst these terrorist acts that means they are with the terrorists. I cannot even imagine to teach "humanity" to these fanatics. We have to take baby steps if we want to make any progress. The more blunt and honest comments would only make some more defensive and reactionary, sorry to say that. I am hoping against hopes that finally the rightwing parties would show their patriotism and do the right thing. Thanks and regards, Mirza
@malik: It must be alians who landed in Pakistan. Must be using Kripton pellets to blast.Watch out, They may take away all your nukes and destroy them on mars.
Who says it is carried out by CIA/ RAW or Mossad? When we will wake up. There are innumerable freedom movements in India and these movements have supports in their areas as well. Are their temples also being subjected to suicide attacks? How many suicide attacks in India? If you are still not clear check this out. http://bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11625216
I'm not a Muslim -- so explain to me how a Muslim can be convinced that going into a house of God and blowing up people gets him a free pass into heaven? Does that make sense to anyone? - obviously it must because this type of massacre is becoming common in Pakistan. It just defies any logic and doesn't seem to happen in any other religion.
@malik: At least during Ramadan , learn to open your eyes and grasp the reality too !!! It may help!! Try to acknowledge the facts on ground!!!! Its Muslims killing Muslims and Pakistan is their Playground !!! Hey, Wake up !!!
very graphic picture kindly change it, thanks.
@malik: @Sayyid Shah: Please continue pointing fingers at others and all your problems will be solved. Peace be to the soul of the life lost. Strength to those who lost their dear ones. And Sense and humanity to those who are behind such carnage. Peace to all.
@Mirza: "It is about time that all religious leaders and parties shuld come out against these terrorist acts and call them against Islam in no uncertain terms".
Mirzaji, I generally completely agree with your thought process. It is reasonable and balanced. In this case you are still trying to rely on religion rather than humanity by saying that these acts are against Islam - rather than against humanity. May leaders including LeT have said that it is haraam to kill another Muslim but jehad when you are killing a kafir. By doing so, it opens the window to brainwash a young kid that somehow the target of their attack is kafir.
Unless people are taught that it is wrong to kil another innocent human - no matter what their faith, this will not stop. Not sure if you have see another news item that says that Jaish-e-Mohamed has once again openly started colecting funds after being in hibernation for 10 years and government is turning a blind eye to it.
@realize: "there should now be a constitutional amendment to declare these people nonMuslims" SO these people who are actually sacrificing their own lives will care if after their death the government declares them non-Muslim? Will declaring them non-Muslim return the family members for tose who lost them?
This is not about religion. This is about humanity. You have been taught that it is Okay to kill kafirs. So it is very easy to brainswash anyone that the target is a kafir because he does not practice Islam exactly the way you do. This is why Ahmadis were attacked, Shias were attacked, the Barelvis who go to mazaars were attacked and so on. Unless you teach people that it is wrong to kill another HUMAN, this problem wil not stop.
Mosques in the areas had been receiving threats from banned militant organisation. Ansar-ul Islam and Lashkar-e-Islam have been targetting themselves in the area for some time.
editing needed
have been targetting themselves?? injured and bodies? or injured and dead?
@Mohammad Ali Siddiqui:
If you think like way, then you are on a correct path. God bless you Pakistan.
@Fah "are these people humans?? who attacks a mosque!!" I agree with you that people who attack mosques are not human. I hope you have it in your heart to consider that people who destroyed hundreds of temples were also not human - instead of calling them your Islamic heroes.
@malik: "Since this is the Holy Month of Ramada when Muslims observe utmost piety and have only love for fellow Muslims, I am sure this work is the handiwork of RAW/CIA/MOSSAD network"
Unless you recognize the problem that many Pakistani Muslims have been brainwashed through the Wahabi madarsas and consider it acceptable to kill those Muslims whose practices are not as pure as they would like, you will not be able to find a solution. You can blame it on RAW/CIA /Mossad all you want. But that will not stop your problems. Also one question you should ask yourself: ISI is supposedly one of the best agencies in the world, so how is it that they have been completely unable to prevent RAW from operating so blatantly in Pakistan and kiling so many thousands of Pakistanis?
Those who did it are muslims, who are taught some seriously wrong concepts of Jihad to be utilized for realizing stratigic enterpreneurial military ambitions. My fellows do acknowledge this and being rare educated class, please come out of the obsession that there is a huge conspiracy against us. It is simple, a mistake was made by some criminals. The mistake was that those criminals (who were trying to be smart and had some kewl strategy) created some wrong people as military strategy. It was mistake but it turned fatal for those who were created and those who were the victims. Furthermore, those people haven't stoped creating those people and is continuing with creating these "death virus Inflicted innocent humanbeings" despite a worldwide ban on it. Now, theses crmininals should be punished for following a wrong strategy, via acknowledging universally that they made a mistake and should stop them from inflicting more people from their virus. My fellows this is not happening because we are in denail and think that a muslim cant do this. My dear its highly unfortunate but the fact is there are muslims who do that, because sombody had taught them a wrong Islam for their own, i repeat strategic enterpreneurial military ambitions. But its a life risk aint it, talking about this? and person above on "people from mars did this was hilarious and em with sane on other sects being killed unmourned. and i pitty for everybody who is misguided, i hope you open your eyes, but i understand there are some 80% people, unharmed by a death of some loverone in a terrorist attack only 35000 are killed, its nothing Islam is winning and america is loosing huh or someone has a big conspiracy against you for your self inflicted wounds. Even if em the only person of my opinion, i fight the case of those 35000 + people who died and 15000 who went missing, and bring especially those who did it including the ones who created this strategy , to justice in a court based on humanitarian law. A law for which the life of every humanbeing is equally important. .
Why don't Pakistan government not striking on route? From where those terrorists are getting Bombs? Why are there illegal weapons?
Ask question , find out the answer and solve it.
The so called Muslims and masterminds of suicide bombers are worst than any Kafir, as Kafirs also cease fire during their holy months.
ISI should help the government to apprehend the masterminds of suicide bombers and law enforcing agencies must apprehend and provide justice to the victims and their families.
The entire game of suicide bombing in the entire country and target killings in Karachi has been very well planned by few foreign governments to de-stabilize Pakistan and to snatch the Atomic Power from the only Muslim Country in the world.
Let’s see how many readers agree to my point.
Beauty of Jihad: All go to the paradise, including the bomber.
Main problem with Pakistan is that it is not a NATION. It is made up of tribes. No one even tried to make it a nation. Nations are made by "Sacrifices". Sacrifice for their own people. Like Indira Gandhi did for unity of India. Like JFK did for America.
Pakistan don't have a role model to follow and is a crowd of aimless peoples.
@malik: Unless you realize that you have problems within you, you will not be able to get out this pit.. Pity you..
No more excuses and shifting blame to foreign powers. Let us wake up before it is way too late, if not already. In the name of humanity and justice, if we do not stand up against these barbaric terrorists then they are going to continue their trutal acts against Pakistani citizens. What are rightwing apologists doing for these victims? They are occupied by the Americans and Indians but do not care about dozens of innocent Pakistanis? It is about time that all religious leaders and parties shuld come out against these terrorist acts and call them against Islam in no uncertain terms. There should not be any ifs and buts. A joint edict by all religious leaders would be a first step.
@abbas: man you are sayin like its an easy job even the army ddnt kill em all in 6 years then hw can these locals do it
For all the Pakistanis who still think this is a act by a jobless Hindu, do you really think the Pakistani Army and the intelligence is so bad that scores of us actually walk into Pakistan and till innocent Pakistani and the intelligence agency cant do anything? If that is the case i please ignore my comment, else please for once give a thought that "this is a act of terrorism" there is no point going behind the terrorist's religion, cut the hands which are feeding these terrorists
there should now be a constitutional amendment to declare these people nonMuslims
the picture atop the article speaks volumes: a sea of human blood but no injured muslims around.
Words mean so little but i want to convey my condolence to each family that lost a member here...at such a time we all unite as human beings...irrespective of nationality, politics and religion.
I think I will not be able to sleep tonight!
An Indian who is with u in ur grief!
If these Talibans are funded by the CIA, then why do they not attack Imran Khan, Hamid Gul and Jumat-e-Islami leaders (who are staunch opponents of America)? The answer to this question is a challenge to anyone who still believes that Talibans are funded by the US. The US is asking us to uproot decisively these barbarians but we are reluctant to fully go after them because they are our "strategic assets". For God's sake, shut down these "factories of conspiracy theories" once and for all, try to recognize your real enemy and act against them decisively.
I am saddened and ashamed by this act of violence, and I am angry. We have to stand up to these criminals that are destroying our country. We can no longer continue to ignore this problem of terrorism by blaming it on outsiders. We cannot let it continue, and if we stand together united as Pakistanis, not as Pakhtoon, Muhajir, Punjabi, Sunni, Shia, etc separately, then we can fight this evil. We have to put our race, language and religious differences aside and become one unit, only then we can defeat the terrorists, as well as corrupt government leadership and foreign powers that try to interfere in Pakistan. Let us be united and help us ourselves. We are capable people, we can do this.
@Majid: It is in theory itself.
@malik: its ur own ppl killing each other..Y shd RAW/CIA/MOSSAD bother about u killing urself
@sania: A theory: drone attacks kill civilian family. Illiterate durviving son, a boy is easy to be whispered in the ear who is the resonsible and need to do revenge according to tribal laws....
Too much of anything - is not good. That applies to religion too.
A secular Pakistan - is what is needed, if people of Pakistan really want to stop this.
Till then good luck to blaming RAW, MOSSAD, CIA, MI5 and saying no Muslim can do such did.
Wasn't that long ago ET ran an article discussing the suicide bomber schools in N Waziristan --- maybe you should do something to close those schools down - or at least ask the American's to bomb them?
Feel shattered every day we see someone loosing father some loosing brother so many more becoming orphan what effect all these going to have in longer run on Pakistan for heaven sake wakeup
@Wasim mukarram:
arabic word jihaada means to struggle and strive to become a good person in the eyes of God but not to kill any person,
@Wasim mukarram: I suggest that you watch Obsession, a documentary by Wayne Kopping. It is somewhat biased but it shows many clips from the Muslim world on how radicals are fanning the flames of hatred. There is no broad conspiracy against us. This menace is our own doing, and to suggest otherwise is to neglect reality.
It would appear that your strategic asset has turned into a liability. I wonder how many Quran's were burned during this massacre - and why no one is marching in the streets protesting?
where are u r crocodile tears when Ahmediya, shia and other sects mosgues r targeted.U reap what U sow.
@Yasir:
Some one please tell me why this mayhem? why this carnage ? why kill innocent faithfuls ? who has poisened the mind of this 16 year old bomber ?
It is high time that Pakistani citizens come out of state of denial and assert themselves and follow no one, but your great leader Jinnah.
Jinnah's near secular ideals and teachings that reliegion is a private affair will only redeem your hopeless situation.
May sanilty prevail and this waste of a promising nation is stopped
Thankyou
Kallu Mama (Your friend and wellwisher from India)
Hello Brother,
Our Culture is same, our Language is same, water, clothes, foods everything is same then why we are not brother. We are enami.
I request to Pakistani People don't get help from US come with us and fight against terrorism.
you know every day militancy are killing innocent people this is bad.
I think India and Pakistan should work together and share there army against terrorism. After one are two year no one can kill a boy.
US is fox.
an Indian.
I think the hands who r behind it obviously can not be called muslim. Actually it is the part of an effort to make islam a hatred religion.the think tank,s man purpose is to malignised the pure concept of jihad with that of terrorism. Muslims should bewre of these kinds of elements.
@malik:
You are in perpetual state of self denial.Such behaviour of people like you harming Pakistan.Come out.Change yourself,do some soul searching.It is not Muslims are killed.Innocent and pious human beings are killed while praying to Almighty.
What kind of barbarity is this? I've grown tired of even asking this question. It is only easy to say "53 dead and 123 injured". These are human lives! It's disgusting and heart breaking to see how little value life has in Pakistan:(
when will you finish hakimmulah mehsud, azam tariq spokema,mullah radio
tehreek e taliban pakistan
5 years you cant defeat a small group
Elders made a mistake by throwing out militants from their area. They should have simply killed them :((
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’unstrong text Depressing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So sad. Jo bhi ho rehman malik ko mat bulana, he would say the suicide bomber was dressed like a star trooper.
@sania:
i agree with you
Mere Allah...i just feel ashamed for that person who took responsibility to blow a Mosque during prayers...And i assure one thing to whole world that he was not Muslim who did a blast during Friday prayers..I am also speechless here ...May Allah forgive us all and protect all the Muslims from these kinds of incidents.. Ameen..!
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. This is complete ignorance. May Allah guide us all to the right path.
@malik:
Yes even I agree, how can a muslim kill a muslim that also in Ramzan while offering Friday prayers in a Muslim country
You said this may be handiwork of RAW/CIA/MOSSAD , I would like to a step ahead and also add in this list of probables like Aliens from Mars.....
No words. I am speechless. Let me try to understand this: a Muslim (only the Lord knows what sort of a Muslim he was) decides to blow up a Mosque during congregational prayers in Ramadan because his militant organization is banned ..seriously ..a Muslim just killed people who were offering namaz ...wow ...disgusting ..I literally dont know what to think. The people of Pakistan are the ones who always end up sacrificing everything while the rest of the world labels us as a terrorist nation or supporters of terrorism, when in reality, we suffer the most and our incompetent government does nothing. Ya Allah, reham ka hum pe.
Im trying to think like a militant here. even then I cant figure out any reason for this.
are these people humans?? who attacks a mosque!!
Since this is the Holy Month of Ramada when Muslims observe utmost piety and have only love for fellow Muslims, I am sure this work is the handiwork of RAW/CIA/MOSSAD network.
They Want to destroy the Pathan but keep in it is Impossible for the enimies of Pathans....INNALLAHA MAASABEREEN.....Allah Tamam Shahedo ko Jannatol Fidos Ata farmae..Ammin.
Toba mere Allah! Not even in Ramzan these people care... How sad, people cannot even offer Friday prayers in Ramzan in a Muslim country... kya ho raha haiN?
The only way is to become secular, so that no one sect has power over the other and all must be allowed to pray in peace. This is what happens when we allow our faith to be used in politics... How many more mosques to be bombed? How many more sects declared Kaffir and wajib al katil? soon there will be no more Muslims in Pak...
Allah Pak hi sab ko haded atta farmaey, Ameen!
30 days NOC was given to American for free movement in Pakistan , so Again TTP and Americans are able to join hands , Stop the dollar flow to TTP .
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un