Terror strikes: Screams of anguish fill the corridors of LRH, yet again

Visitors asked to stay calm, some kept away from the mortuary.

PESHAWAR:

The Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) was yet again gripped by an overwhelming wave of emotion on Friday as screams of anguish echoed through its corridors.

The accident and emergency unit was swarmed with members of the Hazara community grieving over the loss of their loved ones in the suicide attack on Hussania Madrassah, which claimed 15 lives and injured nearly 27 others.

Visitors wailed as they stood outside the surgical ward and mortuary, while women – mothers, sisters and wives – were kept away from the bodies. Many were in shock with friends asking them to remain calm, saying nothing was under their control.

Four members of a family belonging to the Hazara community from Afghanistan, and living on Dalazak Road for decades, were among the dead. “We have lost four of our family members in today’s blast. This is the worst day during our stay in Peshawar for the last 22 years. They (the victims) were only there to offer Friday prayers as they had their carpet business nearby,” said one bereaved relative. The ill-fated carpet weavers were identified as Muhammad Zaman, Muhammad Daud, Mehdi and Ali Ahmad.



Six of the injured are said to be in critical condition, with three are suffering from chest injuries and the others burn injuries. They are currently receiving treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) of LRH. The injured also include six children who were said to be in stable condition.

“I was reciting the Holy Quran inside the Madrassah when I heard firing and then a bullet struck me on my leg. Soon after the firing there was a huge blast and I thought the roof had collapsed. Everyone was screaming and body parts lay everywhere,” said Jarar, one of the injured undergoing treatment at the hospital.

A witness, requesting anonymity, said he was a few steps from the Madrassah when he saw a young man clad in black clothes open fire at the security guard standing at the gate. The bomber then entered the mosque and detonated the explosive vest tied around his waist, he added.

A relative of one of the injured, Syed Nasir Hussain said he didn’t understand why terrorists were attacking religious places. “At one time they said their demands were met, but then they started their notorious activities [again].”

Published in The Express Tribune, June 22^nd, 2013.