Suicide attack at Shia madrassa kills 15 in Peshawar

The attack at Hussaini Madrassa left 22 injured.

PESHAWAR: A suicide bomber blew himself up in Gulshan Colony, Peshawar, killing 15 and leaving 22 injured, Express News reported on Friday.

The Hussaini Madrassa in the area was the target of the blast. The interior of the madrassa was destroyed. There were around 40 people inside the madrassa at the time of the blast.

The madrassa has the capacity to hold up to 80 people. People inside the madrassa were preparing for Friday prayers at the time of the blast.

A rescue operation was conducted. The injured were shifted to a nearby local hospital and security forces sealed the affected areas.

President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chief Altaf Hussain condemned the attack.

Police sources said the bomber was shot at when he tried to enter the madrassa through the main entrance along with his two accomplices. The bomber managed to enter the madrassa through a second gate and blow himself up, while the other two escaped. The bomber reportedly intended to reach the prayer leader, however, the leader wasn't present at the scene.

The bomber was reportedly 22 years old. Police officials gathered body parts for further investigation.

The Bomb Disposal Squad said that the bomber's vest was packed with six kilogrammes of explosives.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack as yet.

The Jafri Alliance announced a three day mourning against the attack.