At least five dead in suicide attack on mosque in K-P's Hangu

At least five people, including a policeman, were killed and 12 others were injured when a suicide bomber exploded inside a mosque in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Hangu district.

The mosque situated inside the Doaba Police Lines, was targeted by two suicide attackers, said DPO Nisar Ahmed. "The first one was killed at the gate of the police lines while trying to gain entry and the second attacker managed to enter the mosque and blew himself up inside."

The police official added that the two attackers arrived in a private vehicle and were engaged by police personnel on guard duty. "Two cops were injured in the firefight."

The DPO elaborated that "timely action" by security personnel averted a bigger tragedy as most of the worshippers had exited the mosque after a firefight erupted between the deployed policemen and the attackers.

Rescue 1122 officials said six of those with serious injuries were shifted to nearby hospitals. Authorities called for heavy machinery to aid in rescue efforts as the force of the explosion caused the roof of the mosque to cave in.

According to SHO Shabraz, the blast ripped through the mosque when people had gathered to offer Friday prayers. He had earlier stated that at least 30 to 40 worshippers were inside..

Rescue workers and security personnel reached the site of the attack and cordoned off the area. Apart from six Rescue 1122 ambulances, two ambulances from Kohat were dispatched to the scene of the incident.

KP caretaker Chief Minister Azam Khan sought a report on the incident from the provincial police. He also directed the authorities to supervise the rescue operation and provide the best possible medical treatment to the injured.

Azam also imposed an emergency in hospitals across Hangu.

This is the second bomb attack in the country today, with the first leaving at least 50 killed and 100 others injured at an Eid Miladun Nabi procession in Balochistan's Mastung district.