Inside the Tableeghi Markaz, the site of the blast which killed 19 people. PHOTO: FAZAL KHALIQ/EXPRESS
The explosion took place at the main Tableeghi Markaz (preaching centre) located on the Takht Band Road.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) spokesperson and police termed the blast as a gas cylinder explosion.
According to eyewitnesses, people were getting ready for their preaching session when a gas cylinder in the kitchen of the Markaz exploded. Additional eyewitness say it may have been a suicide blast.
“After the explosion, people started running frantically while some ran to the spot of the explosion to rush the injured to the hospital,” a person told The Express Tribune.
Police initially said the blast was caused by an exploding gas cylinder but later police chief Akhtar Hayat confirmed it was a bomb.
Rahman Ali, a medical practitioner in Saidu Group of Hospitals, said that more than 50 injured people were brought to the hospital where 10 critically injured succumbed to their injuries.
COMMENTS (36)
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Todays killins in Swat are deplrable and shameful for every one in Pakistan Innocent people are killed all over Pakistan ever day We condenb the incident and forget it then aggaain we hear or read the news of next blast some wher, more people killed, condoled and forgotten This is aa vicioous circlle that ggoes on, Who will stop thhese blast and sicide bombers and killings.dues any pne has answer to this dilemma Let us get toggether and device some plan to combat this dangerous trend and terrorist attacks Javaid Bashir
Drones sound good now?
@Shah:nster Kismat tab badleygee when you stop blaming others for the deeds of your own monster. Change your mindset and thinking and your life will change.
@Shah
And remember that we will have to change ourselves as well,especially the mindset of hatred and extremism.
Sad. Hope it does not repeat!!!!
@Milestogo: "We need to quickly start a de-brainwashing program so that correct Islamic interpretations might be taught to the brainwashed individuals."
As long as you stick to 'correct Islamic interpretation', someone will challenge you and say their interpretation is correct. This is a debate that can never end. You need to go with a simple humanistic approach.
@Shaami Lahor : It looks like you are simply disappointed that some Muslims are falsely being called kaffir and kiled. The progress will occur when you realize that killing itself is wrong whether the other person is kaffir or not. At that time the definition of kaffir will cease to matter.
I smell Indian hands in this, pretty interesting to see following LOC firing bomb blast in extreme long march..
Zionist lobby, Dajjal plans in action to destablise Pakistan, Inshallah we need to be united to face this and believe in peaceful transformation to democracy.
we just need one of the following projects
Kala bagh dam, Riz ko Dik gold reserves, thar coal, Gwader, IRAN gas pipeline ---Inshallah ik bhe full operational hojae Kismat badal jae ratun rat
Another sad day, we need to do something.....start by getting rid of incompetent security infrastructure; get rid of them all.
New yr seems to have started with a blast.
So sad! The question is why against these pacifist Tablighis?
3 Blasts in Quetta - Over 70 people Killed and over 200 Injured 1 Blast in Mingora- Over 22 people Killed and over 65 Injured So in a single day Terrorism has engulfed 92 innocent lives! Isn't it telling us that the war against Terror is actually our war?
@Naseer Ahmad: "....When General Musharraf wanted to bring some minor changes in schools curriculum, it was resisted tooth and nail by his staunch allies, the MMA and PML(Q)....." . What you say is true. The county needs a change, however not the type being proposed by the ultra-right who are presently seen on the political platform.
Very sad news, hope 2013 is a more peaceful year for Pakistan, most Indians wish this for ourselves as well as for Pakistan.
@Shaami Lahori! Will you explain me that where were ur Swati friend? And whats his Name?
its time for a drastic change.
@Shaami Lahori: It is a general mindset of Pakistanis. Do not try to narrow it down to Pukhtoons as you tried to imply.
We need to quickly start a de-brainwashing program so that correct Islamic interpretations might be taught to the brainwashed individuals.
If you read most of the comments it looks as majority of Pakistanis understand the problem and have earnest wish to get rid of the religious extremism. Be these belief based atrocities against various factions of Islam or other minorities. But then biggest question, why it is not being controlled? The simple answer, as I understand, those on helm of affairs have no pressure of masses as such do not want it that way. Have you ever heard clear cut condemnation and determination to curb these religious or belief related atrocities from President, PM, CJ, COAS, Provincial CMs or Governors. Except for MQM chief no political leader ever dared to speak against these belief based cruelties. MQM chief, couple of times did speak in favour of Ahmadies, Shias and Christians but then he also tracked back on the pressure of clerics. Small minority of religious fanatics has hijacked the nation of 180 millions. Moderate majority either has been totally frightened or just has closed its eyes due to reasons best known to it. Even civil society never ever raised its voice in this aspect. Recently even Sheikhul Islam collected lot of people to raise voice against faulty electoral system but non is daring to control the belief related barbarism against own citizen brethren. Blood of innocent human being is never wasted and nature acts in a very staunch manner. If majority of Pakistanis continues to be silent spectator on these belief based atrocities and did not come farward to stop all this, it will also be considered as part of this barbarism and human history is full of such incidents where staunch act of nature completely wiped out such human race.
Sad. IT appeared for a while that random bomb blasts had stopped. Sad to see that this has restarted.
The United States Central Command sends its deepest condolences to the families and friends of people killed in this tragedy. We pray for the fast and full recovery of people who were injured in this blast. Tragedies like these leave scares that never heal. Our hearts go out to all who have been affected by these tragedies and senseless killings.
Abdul Quddus DET-United States Central Command www.centcom.mil/ur
Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Raaji’un
24 dead in Swat blast; 11 dead in Quetta blast. But danger to Pakistan is from the border with India?
@Shaami Lahori: Who will teach but the words of Allah. Please refer to Quran for solving spiritual/social problems instead of Mullahs who are the real culprit for instilling the filth and hatred in the public.
@Shaami Lahori:
" I share this news with my friend and he is from Swat region and i am shocked actually that despite being an Educated person he appreciated this attack and he is of the view that Tableeghis are Kaafirs as in Deobandi and Wahabi Islam "
The mindset which justifies the killing of Kaffirs . By Kaffir i understand is one who is either a non believer say non Muslim and or who is not perceived as Muslim per their( Deobandi / Wahabi) version of Islam.. Preaching and glorification of this intolerance is one of the root cause for the sectarian hate and for the prevailing scenario in Pakistan. Can we ponder over the matter?.
@Shaami Lahori: Talibans have the same ideology and they have declared the same openly several times. Who other than Taliban would carry out this ghastly act in this area ? I agree with your mind set comments but who will change it as there is no dynamic and fearless leader in Pakistan and who dares somehow is silenced by Taliban.
very nice bro @Shaami Lahori:
My heart goes out to the families of the innocent.
@ Shami Lahori
Who will change the general mindset which is the result of systematic process of indoctrination carried on for the past more than three decades and the so called liberal and enlightened leadership always caves in before the bigotry forces.When General Musharraf wanted to bring some minor changes in schools curriculum, it was resisted tooth and nail by his staunch allies, the MMA and PML(Q). The former Federal Education Minister Ms Zubzida Jalal failed to win the support of MMA provincial government for the proposed reforms in the schools syllabus.
Gas cylinder explosion, eh?
Its 24 dead actually. Please correct your facts. and May Allah bless them.
Very sad!
Inna lillahi wa Inna Ilyhi Rahoon. May Allah bless the dead and injured. This is indeed a tragic event.
@Shaami Lahori: you got that right, brother. These hate speeches by mullahs results in brain washing of the citizens...they call each other kafir and what not..if it doesnt stop this country is doomed for breakup again.
:-(
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un